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At Swords’ Points. 



AT 


SwoRDS’ Points. 

4 $ 1 * 11 . 


EDWARD A. THOMAS. 



PHILADELPHIA : 

CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 

624, 626 & 628 MARKET STREET. 

1877. 

7r 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877, by 
CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 








* j- FAGAN & SON, 

^ ^ ELECTROTYPKRS, Pnil.AO’A. 




COLLINS, PRINTER. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER I. 

Gordon’s Opportunity 13 

CHAPTER II. 

Arthur Estelroy 22 

CHAPTER III. 

A Discussion 30 

CHAPTER IV. 

Uncle and Niece 36 

CHAPTER V. 

Mrs. Mortimer’s Party 43 

CHAPTER VI. 

A Good Joke 50 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Rivals 55 

CHAPTER VIII. 

A Defence of the Legal Profession 68 

CHAPTER IX. 

Estelroy’s Enemy? jS 

ix 


X 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER X. page 

James Flemming 83 

CHAPTER XI. 

Gordon’s Aspirations 92 

CHAPTER XII. 

A Misunderstanding " 100 

CHAPTER XIII. ■ 

Various Topics 106 

CHAPTER XIV. 

A Fruitless Pursuit 113 

CHAPTER XV. 

An Interesting Suggestion 118 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Banks’s Repulse 124 

CHAPTER XVII. 

An Adventure 13 1 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

The Election 142 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Against Trials by Jury 149 

CHAPTER XX. 

A Pleasant Drive 158 

CHAPTER XXI. 

The Return 164 


CONTENTS. 


XI 


CHAPTER XXII. 

Mind-reading 171 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Plotters — and Lovers 178 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

The Question 184 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Grafton and Tresham 189 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

A Discovery 196 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

A Change of Base 202 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Gordon and Mrs. Estelroy 209 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

New Light 216 

CHAPTER XXX. 

A Reconciliation 223 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

The New Attorney 229 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

The Conspirators 235 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

The Beginning of Trouble 241 


Xll 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER XXXIV. , PAGE 

Miss Alice Morton t 247 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

Munson and Grafton .' 252 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

Progress in Evil 257 

CHAPTER XXXVH. 

The Plot Thickens 263 

CHAPTER XXXVIH. 

Grafton Conquers his Despair 269 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

An Interesting Adventure 276 

CHAPTER XL. 

The Trial 284 

CHAPTER XLI. 

The Trial Continued 291 

CHAPTER XLH. 

Argument for the Defence 301 

CHAPTER XLIH. 

Further .Particulars 308 

CHAPTER XLIV. 

Lynch Law 314 

CHAPTER XLV. 

Grafton’s Character Vindicated 318 

CHAPTER XLVI. 

Conclusion 324 


AT SWORDS' POINTS, 


CHAPTER I. 

Gordon’s opportunity. 

O N a bright, frosty morning in October, 185-, 
Charles Gordon, aged about twenty-six years, 
having completed the usual course of studies in the 
city of Chicago, and having received his .diploma 
from the Supreme Court of the State to practise as 
an attorney and counsellor, was travelling towards 
the village of Glen Lynn, where he had already se- 
cured an office and made other preparations to enter 
upon the labors of his profession. 

Railroads were then unknown in that part of the 
West ; stage-fares were * high. The young lawyer 
had, during the years of study, expended most of 
his previous earnings, and, with commendable pru- 
dence, he decided to make the journey on foot rather 
than encroach upon the remainder of his funds. 

Glen Lynn was more than a hundred miles from 
the city of Chicago. Gordon had induced a farmer, 
who was about to return from that city with an 
empty wagon, to carry his trunk and the large box 
which contained his law-books. Then, with a light 

13 


2 


H 


AT swords’ points. 


knapsack and a rifle — in the use of which he had 
already become an expert, and which had proved 
valuable upon many an occasion — he had started 
on his journey to Glen Lynn. 

He was now upon the sixth day of his travels. 
Though wearied by his constant walking, he felt 
well satisfied with the course he had pursued. He 
was stronger and in better spirits for the "exercise. 
His way had led through a rich and beautiful 
country. He had been hospitably entertained at 
every farm-house where he had chosen to stop at 
night — for hotels were scarce upon the road — and 
he found that he had drawn but little upon his funds. 

The cool autumn air was peculiarly grateful after 
his long confinement in the offices of Chicago, and 
during his journey his thoughts had been occupied 
alternately with enjoying the varied landscape con- 
tinually spread before him and with those bright 
and ambitious dreams which possess, to .a certain 
degree, the minds of all young men of studious 
habits. 

Now he arrived at a point where the road curved 
up the side of a long and high ridge, again to de- 
scend to the fertile valley in which Glen Lynn was 
situated. He had scarcely reached the brow of the 
hill when he was startled by the shouts of men and 
the sounds of the rapid galloping of horses. 

He hastened forward and gained the summit of 
the ridge, then clambered to the top of a large rock, 
from which position he had a full view of the valley 
below. 

He saw about twenty horsemen dashing up the 


Gordon’s opportunity. 15 

road near which he was standing. He was not long 
in perceiving that one, many rods in advance, was 
endeavoring to escape from the other party; and 
the young attorney’s interest in the affair naturally 
increased. The first idea that suggested itself was 
that some great criminal had broken jail and was 
attempting to escape. 

Suddenly a cry of exultation broke from the pur- 
suing party — the fugitive had dropped something of 
importance. The man closest to him gave a shout, 
but did not in the least relax his speed. One horse- 
man, however, much farther behind, leaped from his 
horse and secured the prize ; then, remounting in a 
moment, pressed on with the rest. 

He held his trophy high in the air, and Gordon, 
though he could not see very distinctly, believed it 
to be a large pistol. As the others carried only 
weapons of the same kind, it was evident that they 
were elated at having thus far disarmed the object 
of their pursuit. 

The sympathies of Gordon were at first with the 
weaker party. It flashed upon him, however, that 
an opportunity for distinction was about to present 
itself, and that upon his action for the next few mo- 
ments might greatly depend his success in Glen 
Lynn. He knew that courage and popularity were 
as necessary qualifications as a sound knowledge of 
law. 

Gordon was not a person to hesitate in such an 
emergency. He surmised that the man might still 
be well armed and desperate, and, though with his 
rifle he had greatly the advantage, it was not in 


l6 AT swords’ points. 

Gordon’s heart • to take the life of a fellow-being, 
even if justified by the law, in order to promote his 
own interests; and, besides, he knew too little about 
this affair to decide whether, in such an event, the 
law would justify him or not. 

Nevertheless, he must act speedily and decisively. 
The party was now ascending the ridge towards him. 
The foremost rider appeared to understand his situa- 
tion thoroughly. He was mounted upon an unu- 
sually fine horse, and seemed satisfied with keeping 
just out of pistol-shot from those behind. Evi- 
dently he did not wish to fatigue his horse more 
than was necessary. 

Gordon partially concealed himself by the road- 
side. When he saw the rider’s face, however, all 
scruples and feelings of sympathy vanished. It was 
one indelibly impressed upon his memory. He re- 
solved upon decisive action. As the man approached, 
Gordon rose up, brought his rifle to bear upon him, 
and sharply called out, “ Halt ! ” He had seen this 
man, whose name was Rodgers, in the criminal dock at 
Chicago, indicted for horse-stealing. The accused had 
been discharged through the peculiar views of certain 
jurymen ; but his face was one not easily forgotten. 

Since that time Gordon had heard of his arrest 
for being implicated in an unusually atrocious mur- 
der, and of his confinement in the jail at Glen Lynn. 

When Rodgers heard the order to halt, he glanced 
at his new opponent with an expression of surprise 
and contempt. He saw that Gordon was of a differ- 
ent type of man from those coming up the hill. He 
doubted if the hand holding the rifle would be very 


Gordon’s opportunity. 17 

steady, or the young man’s aim be true, and he deter- 
mined to dash on and ride over Gordon if necessary. 
With an oath and an insulting epithet he drove his 
spurs deep into his horse’s sides. But Gordon was 
too quick for him. He aimed at the neck of the 
horse and fired. The animal fell to the ground, 
wounded in the neck, or creased, as it is termed in 
the West, and holding the leg of Rodgers, who was 
unprepared for this mode of attack, firmly under the 
saddle. The fellow had supposed that Gordon would 
fire at him. 

'‘You’ve done it this time, haven’t you, G — 
d — n you,” said Rodgers, as he vainly endeavored 
to free himself from the horse. 

Gordon did not reply, but reloaded his rifle as 
speedily as possible, and brought the muzzle to bear 
on Rodgers, whose only remaining weapon was a 
long knife. 

When the fellow saw that he was completely at 
the mercy of the man towards whom he had so re- 
cently addressed insulting and opprobrious language, 
he assumed a different tone. 

“Come, young fellar,” said he, “you did that well, 
anyway, — just for sport, I suppose? but you can’t 
have anything agin me. I ’ve got a thousand dollars 
right here in this belt of mine, and I ’ll give it all to 
you, if you ’ll help me up ; but you ’ll have to be 
quick ; they ’re upon us.” 

“Throw away that knife,” said Gordon, “or I will 
not approach you.” 

Rodgers hesitated ; but he had no time to lose, and 
he thought Gordon was relenting. 

2* P 


AT swords’ points. 


i8 

He threw away the knife, a gleam of intense hatred 
lighting up his eyes. Escape was evidently first in 
his mind. If he could not accomplish that, then re- 
venge. Gordon was satisfied that but for his action, 
some of the party would have felt the keen edge of 
that knife, had they attempted to take Rodgers alive. 

“ Now help me up, as you promised to djD,” yelled 
Rodgers, as he saw that Gordon remained in the same 
position. 

“ I don’t want your money,” answered the lawyer. 

“ I ’ll live to dig your heart out yet ! ” roared 
Rodgers. 

“ I think not,” said Gordon, calmly. 

“Well, you are fixed for certain, ain’t you?” ex- 
claimed the foremost man of the pursuers, as he rode 
over the summit of the ridge, and took a view of 
the situation. “ How did all this happen ? ” 

Rodgers said nothing. He simply pointed towards 
Gordon, whose rifle retained its former positipn. 

They were immediately joined by other horsemen, 
in parties of twos and threes. 

“ Come, ain’t you going to help me up ? ” the 
felon inquired. “And now, youngster,” fie con- 
tinued, “ you need n’t keep that thing pointed at me 
any longer; it ain’t comfortable. You can shoot 
straight, and I know it.” 

“ Is he armed ? ” asked the leader of the party of 
Gordon. 

“I think not. He threw away his knife at my 
suggestion.” 

“ How was that ? Rodgers don’t often part with 
his weapons so easily.” 


Gordon’s opportunity. 19 

“ He offered me a thousand dollars to help him up, 
and I told him to throw away the knife first.” 

“ Oh, I see,” said the horseman. “ But you did not 
mean to take his money, eh ? 

“No, sir.” 

“ It w'as lucky his horse fell.” 

“ He did not fall till I shot him,” coolly replied 
Gordon. 

“Shot him!” exclaimed one of the men, jumping 
from his horse, and going up to the wounded animal. 
“ That ’s so. See here, sheriff, this young man is 
a brick. He creased the horse so that we could take 
this villain alive, and hang him ; and we ’ll do it, too, 
before sunset.” 

“ Not while I ’m here,” replied the sheriff, coming 
up. “ Let the law take its course. There ’s no danger 
of an escape again.” 

Meanwhile the sheriff’s deputies, under his super- 
vision, had taken Rodgers from under the horse, 
examined his person to ascertain that he had no 
concealed weapons about him, put heavy irons upon 
him, and then tied him with strong cords upon the 
sorriest-looking animal which the party had with 
them. 

“ Oh, stop that,” said the man who had been con- 
versing with Gordon while the sheriff and his depu- 
ties were securing their prisoner. “ I move we end 
this thing right here. We have everything neces- 
sary. We ’ve got Rodgers first, and plenty of hemp 
next, and trees are not scarce. Let’s save the county 
the expense.” 

The rest of the party, however, believed that the 


20 


AT swords’ points. 


sheriff was right, and refused to second the proposal 
of the first speaker.. 

As they were all ready to return with their pris- 
oner, it occurred to the sheriff that in the excitement 
of the moment they had not expressed their sense 
of the obligations under which the young stranger 
had laid them by his coolness and decision. 

“ Pardon me, sir,” said the sheriff, approaching 
him ; “ but this man is such a desperate criminal, 
and we were so rejoiced at his capture, that we 
nearly forgot to say how grateful we are to you for 
having helped us so much.” 

*‘You would have caught him any way,” replied 
Gordon, modestly. 

“ I am not sure of that,” said the sheriff. “ He is 
an old bird. He had the best horse among us — one 
he has stolen somewhere. When he found we were 
after him, he just kept about so far ahead all the time, 
and he knew when he got over this hill, so as not to 
blow his horse, he would just let himself out, and 
probably leave us. So, young man, we owe every- 
thing to you.” 

I am very glad to have rendered you any assist- 
ance,” said Gordon. I perceived that you were 
chasing some one ; but when I saw him I knew him, 
and resolved to aid in his capture.” 

“ Met him before ? May I ask where ? ” 

At the court-house in Chicago.” 

“Oh, yes, in that horse case.” Seeing Gordon pre- 
pare to start on, he continued: “Young man, you 
can’t part with us this way. If your business is n’t 
pressing, you must go with us to Glen Lynn, and be 


Gordon’s opportunity. 21 

the guest of the town a day or two. If it had n’t 
been for you we might not have caught our man ; 
and but for your foresight we might have been stab- 
bed in getting him. He is tricky. Will you come 
with us ? ” 

“ Glen Lynn is my destination,” Gordon replied. 

“Is that so? ” said the sheriff. “Ain’t going there 
to live, are you ? ” 

“ That is my intention.” 

“If it isn’t impertinent, I’d like to ask your name.” 

“ Charles Gordon, sir.” 

“ What ! the lawyer that has rented an office over 
Trumbull’s store?” 

“ The same.” 

“Hurrah, boys! here ’s our new attorney. Ha, ha, 
ha I that is good.” 

“ What is good ? ” inquired one of the party. 

“ Why, that this lawyer has caught the biggest 
rogue in the country, instead of helping to get him 
clear, like most of them.” 

“ Here, John,” continued the sheriff to one of his 
deputies, “ give Mr. Gordon that horse of yours. 
You can stop at the next farm-house and borrow one 
for the day. They ’ll be glad to let you have it.” 

And so Charles Gordon rode by the side of the 
sheriff, and, after a journey of twelve miles, entered 
Glen Lynn for the first time in a sort of triumphal 
procession ; for the entire country around had been 
aroused, and the party first seen by Gordon was only 
the vanguard of the multitude in pursuit of the crim- 
inal. These all fell into line and rode to Glen Lynn, 
some fearing and others hoping that the prisoner 
would suffer under Lynch law. 


22 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


CHAPTER II 


ARTHUR ESTELROY. 


LEN LYNN, at this time, was a flourishing 



VJ town. Gordon began the practice of law under 
very favorable circumstances. He was not disap- 
pointed in the prestige that he gained from his assist- 
ance in the capture of Rodgers. He had made a firm 
friend of the sheriff, and through him had become 
acquainted with many of the influential citizens of 
the place. Industrious, enterprising, and of pleasing 
address, he soon found that his practice, if not lucra- 
tive, was sufficient to support him ; and with that he 
was for the present satisfied. 

The impression that he made was so favorable that 
the prosecuting attorney retained him in preparing 
the case of the People vs. Rodgers. This being a 
cause of some celebrity, and one which, if success- 
fully conducted, would add largely to his reputation, 
he gave it an extraordinary amount of attention and 
careful study, yet the farther he proceeded with the 
investigation, the more numerous were the difficulties 
which arose in his way. The public, generally, were 
certain of Rodgers’s guilt. A failure to convict would 
excite universal indignation; and had even a surmise 
of such a result arisen in the minds of any but the 
attorneys for the prosecution and the officers of the 
law, there is not a doubt that the prisoner would have 
been taken from the jail and summarily executed. 

A mysterious and terrible murder had been com- 


ARTHUR ESTELROY. 


23 


mitted in the vicinity; and suspicion naturally at- 
tached to Rodgers, from what was previously known 
of his vicious character. Yet Gordon was surprised, 
when he first became interested in the case, to learn 
how little tangible evidence had been found against 
him. The district-attorney felt, although he never 
mentioned it to any one except Gordon, that if Rod- 
gers had been expeditiously disposed of, it would 
have relieved his shoulders of a burden, and would 
have satisfied justice, upon the old plea that if he did 
not deserve hanging for the crime then charged, he 
assuredly did for some other. 

Gordon took a different view of the case. To him 
it presented a prospect of sudden distinction. He 
had ample time to study the matter thoroughly, and 
he determined that, if possible, when the day of the 
trial arrived, not a point should be raised which 
would surprise him. 

Some three years previous to the time of which we 
are now writing, a young gentleman, named Arthur 
Estelroy, accompanied by his wife and two children, 
visited Glen Lynn. It was at first supposed that his 
stay would be brief, and that he was one of those 
persons from the Eastern States who, impelled either 
by an unconquerable restlessness, or by a desire to 
improve their condition financially, travel through 
the prominent places of the West to fix upon their 
future home. The supposition, however, proved to 
be an erroneous one. 

He at once appreciated the great advantages of 
Glen Lynn, and the prospect of its becoming a 
large business town. The rich and beautiful country 


24 


AT swords’ points. 


in which it was .situated also pleased him exceed- 
ingly. After a stay of two or three weeks, he in- 
formed some of his recently formed acquaintances 
that Glen Lynn would be his future home. This in- 
formation was received with pleasure by the inhabi- 
tants. They believed that Estelroy would become 
not only a valuable, but also a prominent citizen of 
their thrifty village. 

As time passed on, they were not entirely disap- 
pointed. He purchased a tract of land near by, from 
which he could overlook the town, the broad river 
that curved around it, and a large portion of the 
valley, which he admired so much. 

Upon this he erected a mansion that far surpassed 
in elegance the. finest homes of Glen Lynn, and 
furnished it with a magnificence that seemed out of 
place in a spot so near the frontier. But he assumed 
no airs of superiority over the other residents of the 
place. When his house was in order, he gave so 
large a party that few, if any, could feel themselves 
slighted; and the cordial and unaffected manner of 
himself and wife allayed any feelings of jealousy or 
prejudice that might have been excited. 

He also purchased several choice parcels of land 
in and about the town as an investment, hnd lent his 
aid to a number of public and business enterprises, 
and, with Mrs. Estelroy, visited freely in the society 
of Glen Lynn. 

No objection could be taken to his conduct or 
bearing, and yet, before many months elapsed, the 
people felt that he belonged to a different class from 
themselves. 


ARTHUR ESTELROY. 


25 


A wide barrier was growing up between them. 
In business affairs he was shrewd and careful, but 
not penurious. Whenever, as occurred in two or 
three instances before his character became known, 
efforts had been made to defraud him, he managed 
matters so adroitly as to render those who attempted 
evil an example and warning to the public. 

His home completed and his investments made, 
he gave himself up to a life of studious ease. A 
rare and well-chosen library occupied much of his 
time. 

Mrs. Estelroy was a superior woman in appear- 
ance, in culture, and in spirit. Her husband seemed 
to be devotedly attached to her and to their children. 
Every day, when the weather permitted, they might 
be seen together riding through the valley. 

After he had resided two years in^ Glen Lynn, the 
managers of one of the political parties there asked 
him to become a candidate on their ticket for a very 
prominent office. They believed that, as he had no 
enemies, many friends, and plenty of money, his 
name would greatly strengthen their party. 

Mr. Estelroy, however, replied that he had no 
desire for political distinction, even though he might 
be sure to gain it; that he had no ambition of that 
sort to gratify, and was perfectly happy in giving 
his attention to his family and his books. 

This was the man who, but a short time prior to 
Gordon’s settling in Glen Lynn, had been found as- 
sassinated near his home, and for whose murder 
Rodgers had been arrested on suspicion. 

About half a mile north of Estelroy’s residence a « 
3 


26 


AT swords’ points. 


clear stream flowed east and emptied into the river 
near the town. For two miles above the river it 
passed through a shady ravine, in one part of which 
was the glen that gave the name to the village. It 
was a favorite resort of Estelroy, and upon the 
morning of his death he had gone there alone for 
the purpose of fishing. 

As his stay was far more protracted than usual, 
a servant was sent to ascertain the cause of it. He 
found his master lying dead, with an Indian arrow 
in his breast. 

Greatly alarmed, the servant hastened back with 
the intelligence. The shock to Mrs. Estelroy was 
terrible ; but, instead of succumbing to her grief, she 
promptly endeavored to procure the detection of the 
murderer. A carriage was sent immediately for a 
surgeon and the sheriff, the district-attorney, and 
two of the murdered man’s most intimate friends. 
They hastened to the spot where the body was lying. 
It was apparent that the arrow had been sped by an 
experienced hand. 

The sufferings of the deceased could have lasted 
but a few moments. There were, however, no In- 
dians in that part of the country, and one alone 
would never have dared to come so far within the 
settlements. All were convinced that a bow and 
arrow had been chosen because the messenger of 
death could be sent silently and would throw a mys- 
tery over the transaction. 

While the surgeon was examining the wound, the 
sheriff looked along the banks of the stream, and 
soon perceived, in the moist clay, the impress of a 


ARTHUR ESTELROY. 


27 


shoe. It had been made in going from Estelroy’s 
body towards the brook. That it could not have 
been made by his foot the officer saw at a glance. 
Here was a clue. He at first measured the impres- 
sion with care, then took a very thin board, and cut 
it down and rounded it off until it exactly fitted the 
cavity. Next, with the assistance of two of his 
companions, he placed the stiff clay containing the 
impression in a small box, so that the earth could 
dry but the form of the shoe still remain unimpaired. 
Upon looking a little farther, he found signs of other 
persons having crossed the stream ; and, where he 
could obtain good impressions of their footprints, 
he observed the same care as in the first instance. 
Among those thus secured was one evidently made 
by Estelroy himself 

Additional search failed to reveal any evidence, 
and the party sadly bore the remains of their friend 
to the house of mourning. His wife suffered as none 
but high natures can suffer. On such occasions weep- 
ing and loud lamentations are a relief to many. In 
these she could have found no solace. Her burden 
of grief was almost insupportable. But two high 
resolves enabled her to control herself The first was 
that now she must be more than an ordinary mother 
to those children whom her husband had loved so 
well, and the second, that she would resort to every 
means in her power to bring the guilty parties to jus* 
tice. 

Very soon after the murder Rodgers was arrested, 
partly on account of his generally bad character, and 
partly because he had of late been loitering around 


28 


AT swords’ points. 


with no apparent object, and had on some occasions 
been seen in the neighborhood of the ravine. His 
boots were measured, but their size did not corre- 
spond with that of any of the impressions taken by 
the sheriff. 

No information could be obtained in reference to 
the bow and arrow. They had never before been 
seen in Glen Lynn. No one knew where Rodgers’s 
abode was. It was known that occasionally he had 
passed a night at a low hotel in town ; but nothing 
could be found there to implicate him. Soon after 
the sheriff learned from a farmer that the prisoner 
had spent much of his time with a family of ques- 
tionable repute living about five miles from the Glen. 
As soon as it was evening, accompanied by a couple 
of deputies, the official proceeded to the house 
named.- Leaving one of his men outside to watch, he 
gained admission, and endeavored, by every art that 
he could command, to obtain some pertinent infor- 
mation as to Rodgers’s actions and habits. The 
members of the family were respectful, but non- 
communicative. A thorough search of the house 
revealed nothing until the deputy went to a little 
attic. * There, under a bed, he found a coarse pair of 
shoes covered with clay. The father of the family 
said that the attic was Rodgers’s room when he 
stopped there, and that the shoes had been taken 
off and left there by him a few days prior to his 
arrest, at a time which the sheriff felt very positive 
was 'Immediately after the crime had been committed. 

Rodgers, he said, upon leaving the house had 
worn a pair of quite fine boots — the very same 


ARTHUR ESTELROY. 


29 


already examined by the sheriff in the county jail. 
That officer, having decided to secure some of these 
persons as witnesses, told the father and his eldest 
son that they must forthwith accompany him to 
Glen Lynn. They at first seemed disposed to resist, 
but at the sight of a pistol and a pair of handcuffs 
they ceased to object, and quietly accompanied the 
officers. 

Upon his return to town the sheriff compared the 
shoes with his first measurement, and found them to 
correspond exactly, and the soil upon the shoes was 
the same in quality and color as the clay about the 
impression. 

He told Rodgers of these facts, and the great agi- 
tation shown by him at the time was convincing 
proof to the officer that he had the right person in 
custody. 

But would a jury regard it in the same light? 
That was the question. If only one footprint besides 
Estelroy’s had been discovered on the fatal morning, 
and that one had been Rodgers’s, it would have 
been almost conclusive evidence of his guilt. 

Though the ravine was very secluded, and a spot 
likely to be chosen for the commission of crime, 
several persons had certainly been there on the day 
in question, and before the crime could have been 
committed. Would the circumstances, taken to- 
gether, create in the minds of an impartial jury such 
a reasonable doubt as would make them, under the 
charge of the court, bring in a verdict of not guilty ? 
Then the weapon used was not such a one as a man 
of Rodgers’s character would be likely to select. A 
3 * 


30 


AT swords’ points. 


pistol or a knife would be more to his taste. Further, 
the only objects which could have actuated Rodgers 
must be plunder or revenge. Robbery had assuredly 
not been the object of the assassin; and who could 
wish for revenge against a person of the character of 
Estelroy ? 

The sheriff and the attorney for the prosecution 
were puzzled. 

No further information had been obtained in the 
matter when Gordon arrived at Glen Lynn. 


CHAPTER III. 

A DISCUSSION. 

A h, Gordon ! ” said Judge Rowe, one of the prin- 
cipal lawyers of Glen Lynn, as he chanced to 
meet our hero in front of the court-house, “ what do 
you think of the new project?” 

I can’t say until I know what it is.” 

‘‘ Indeed ! Have you not heard ? But then I am 
told you are very busy in looking up the Lstelroy 
case. No use in asking how you get on. A good 
lawyer keeps his own counsel. You have not heard 
about the new railroad, then ? ” 

“ No.” 

“ It is proposed to have one from Chicago to Glen 
Lynn. If that is likely to pay, they will run it far- 
ther back in the country some fifty miles.” 


A‘ DISCUSSION. 


31 


How long has the project been* known ? ” 

Only a few days. There was a party up from 
Chicago, and they promise good subscriptions there 
if we will do our share. Many will subscribe along 
the line also. It will make our town increase to five 
times its present size ; and that, of course, will not 
injure our profession.” 

“ Will it not also bring as many lawyers in pro- 
portion as it does law business? ” 

“ I think not. There will be a great deal to do 
before outsiders learn how rapidly our place is im- 
proving. Some may move here, but we can get a 
firm foothold before many of them arrive. It is 
fortunate for you that you came just when you did. 
You are well acquainted here already, and your 
assistance in the Rodgers matter has helped you.” 

“Yes,” replied Gordon, “a certain amount of 
celebrity, or notoriety at least, is as necessary to a 
person in our profession as to any one else. A 
merchant or a grocer can gain it by advertising in 
various ways; but the etiquette of the bar permits to 
us nothing of the sort. When it comes, therefore, 
without our blowing our own trumpet, it certainly 
is a great aid.” 

“ Especially if one is able to follow it up with a 
sound knowledge of law and successful practice.” 

“ Of course reputation without success will not last 
long. But in reference to the new project : what is 
being done about it ? ” 

“ Oh, we are all going to work, and we want your 
help too. We will stir it up for the next two weeks. 
Then we shall have an immense meeting, and invite 


32 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


all the county round. There is not a great deal of 
wealth here : still, many are well-to-do in the world, 
and I don’t apprehend any difficulty in raising our 
portion. Let us get it through, and the company 
will certainly have to retain one lawyer here regularly. 

Ah, I see the point,” said Gordon, smiling. You 
believe that of the attorneys now in Glen Lynn, Judge 
Rowe would be the best selection for that position.” 

**By no means, my dear sir,” replied the Judge. 
** We shall all stand a chance, and while the fortunate 
one can fight for the road, the rest will have an op- 
portunity to fight against it. Only get it here: that 
is the first point. We shall expect a good speech 
from you at the meeting.” 

*‘You maybe disappointed; I am not distinguished 
for eloquence, especially upon the subject of railroads. 
I will do what I can, however, to aid in the enter- 
prise.” 

“ That is all we can ask. I know we sha’n’t be 
disappointed, either. There is some more news that 
I entirely forgot to mention till this minute.” 

“ What is that ? ” 

‘^Another lawyer is coming here at once.” 

What ! to settle ? ” 

Yes.” 

“ Where is he from ? ” 

New York.” 

‘‘ What is his name ? ” 

“ Grafton — Harold Grafton, I believe.” 

“ Who is he?” 

“That is more difficult to answer. He was through 
here a year ago, and saw the town. He is young, and 
comes very highly recommended.” 


A DISCUSSION. 33 

Has he formed a co-partnership with any one at 
this place ? ” 

“ Not to my knowledge.” 

“ That will make five attorneys — a sufficient num- 
ber, I should think.” 

“ The more the merrier. It will make business 
lively. Each will hatch up something, and the rest 
of us will profit by it.” 

“You don’t think that promoting litigation will 
benefit the community, do you ? ” 

“ Oh, that is the lookout of the community, not 
ours. We are necessary to it, and must be sup- 
ported.” 

“ I believe,” said Gordon, “ there is enough legiti- 
mate business to do without encouraging strife. For 
one, I intend to accept retainers in fair and honorable 
cases only. If a man comes to me without the facts 
or the law to aid him, I shall tell him so at once.” 

“It’s all very well for a person starting out with 
your advantages to say that, but after a few years’ 
practice you will think differently. Some of the best- 
paying cases are those which could have been easily 
adjusted at the commencement. But the parties began 
quarrelling. Their little feuds grew into intense hatred. 
They were determined to fight on to the bitter end ; 
and while at first they would haggle a good deal as 
to the amount of the retainer, subsequently, when 
their blood was thoroughly heated, they would sacri- 
fice their entire property to pay counsel, if they be- 
lieved that thereby they could beat their opponent, 
no matter whether they gained any money in so doing 
or not. 


c 


34 


AT swords’ points. 


I tell you, Gordon, the pure ‘ cussedness ’ of 
the human race does more to put money in our 
pockets than anything else. They do not employ us 
in half the cases that justice — even as they regard 
justice — may be done, but that their own ends may 
be attained, whatever the result is to others. That ’s 
a fact, and we might as well profit by it. As a class, 
we are not half so well paid as men in other callings. 
Many, with a first-rate law practice, don’t receive 
the income of ordinary clerks, and our merchants 
make more in one year than we can make in five. 
Look at the education, and toil, and care, and respon- 
sibility necessary to make a successful practitioner at 
the bar.” 

“ That may be true,” replied Gordon. Our pro- 
fession does require more brains than almost any 
other, and assuredly as much care and study. But 
where can you find a class of men, notwithstanding 
all the attacks made upon them, who wield a greater 
influence or occupy more prominent positions than 
lawyers do ? ” 

“ The profession is a good .stepping-stone, I admit, 
to men of ambition and plausible manners. Very 
few, however, are at the same time great lawyers and 
successful politicians. They may succeed well in their 
appeals to a jury. For a thorough, extensive knowl- 
edge of law, however, continual and close application 
is essential. One must keep up with every new deci- 
sion of importance. A few years passed in the excite- 
ment of politics unfits a person for close legal study.” 

“But look at Webster, and Clay, and — ” 

‘‘Oh, yes, and several others,” interrupted the Judge. 


A DISCUSSION. 


35 


** There never was but one Daniel Webster and but 
one Harry Clay. If all of us had their brains, they 
would not have been as pre-eminent as they were. 
There is a class of men, however, who, after attaining 
a high reputation at the bar, have important public 
positions thrust upon them — positions that they have 
not directly sought, but for which every one believes 
them to be exceedingly well fitted.” 

“You speak of politicians being good jury lawyers,” 
said Gordon. “ That would be a natural inference. 
An orator who could control the masses at a large 
meeting should certainly be able to manage a jury. 
In my opinion, the jury system in this country — in a 
great republic where all have a voice — is a humbug.” 

“ It surprises me to hear you say that.” 

“ Why so ? The system did well enough in an old 
monarchy, where the king appointed all the judges, 
and it was required as a barrier against tyranny. But 
with us it does far more to delay than to promote 
justice.” 

“ I thought you had thus far been very successful 
in your jury cases,” said Judge Rowe. 

“ Tolerably so ; but that does n’t change my views 
of the subject.” 

“ Well, my views in reference to a lawyer who de- 
claims against trial by jury can be best illustrated by 
the fable of the goose that laid the golden egg.” 

“ How so ? ” 

“ Do away with juries, and about nine-tenths of the 
members of our learned profession might as well 
close their offices and go to railroading or something 
else. But I did not think we had walked so far to- 


3 ^ 


AT swords’ points 


gether. Here we are at my gate. Let me give you 
a piece of advice, Gordon. You were cut out for a 
lawyer. Don’t mix in politics ; study hard ; say 
nothing against juries, but rather let it be understood 
that you place the most implicit confidence in their 
ability, discretion, and integrity; and, finally, when 
you get a good paying case, don’t give it up because 
you believe the other party has more of the right 
of it. Your client will certainly be entitled to have 
his cause presented fully and ably in court, under the 
rights given to him by his country. In a year or so 
— especially if you have a family — you will think as 
I do. Take my advice and prosper.” 

The Judge walked into his house, and Gordon 
passed on, thinking that he had obtained a new in- 
sight to the profession to which he was devoted. 

“I am surprised,” said he to himself, “that Judge 
Rowe holds such opinions. He certainly likes me, 
and stands well at the bar.” 


CHAPTER IV, 


UNCLE AND NIECE. 



ELL, Florence,” said Mr. Henry Rivers, a 


^ * prominent merchant of Glen Lynn, to his 
niece, one afternoon, “what have you found to amuse 
or delight you to-day ? ” 

“ The last thing to delight me was the fact that a 
gentleman of your youthful and blooming appearance 


UNCLE AND NIECE. 


37 


should find it necessary to ride up to dinner every day 
in that fine carriage, and that Peter has to go along 
to drive. A year since, before that was purchased, 
you could walk up here three times a day, through 
storm or sunshine, without uttering a complaint.” 

“ But, Flo, I am growing old,” remonstrated the 
uncle. 

“ Oh, yes, very old ! Let me see ; you must be 
about thirty-five. How venerable! Your beauty, 
however, seems to improve with your years. What 
a healthful, ruddy countenance I ” 

“ It is not unusually red, is it ? ” 

“ Well, rather.” 

“ Don’t say a word to Madge about it, or I ’ll get a 
lecture.” 

“To Aunt Madge! Why not? Doesn’t she like 
red cheeks ? ” 

“ Well, not exactly, under the circumstances.” 

“ Is there any reason why she desires you to look 
pale, and languid, and sentimental ? I thought you 
were both past that. What a pity you did not walk 
up ! That would have accounted for it entirely to 
her satisfaction.” 

“There, chatterbox, that will do. You won’t dis- 
oblige me, will you ? We have had a railroad meet- 
ing. They nominated me for one of the directors. 
It is agreed that there are to be one or two at this 
end of the line. When we got through, we had a 
lunch and some champagne with the gentlemen from 
Chicago. • That was all.” 

“And Aunt Madge does n’t approve of champagne, 


4 


38 


AT swords’ points. 


“I should have thought you had found that out by 
this time. She won’t notice anything without the aid 
of your sharp eyes, though.” 

“ Well, you are such a dear, good uncle, I will not 
say anything this time ; but you must be careful, you 
know. We are not going to have a horrid railroad 
through here, with its noise, and. smoke, and cross- 
ings, to frighten the horses, I hope. I shall be afraid 
to ride down town ; I shall, positively.” 

“ There will be no danger, as it is to run the other 
side of the town. We shall have a real city here 
before long.” 

“And you are preparing for city style already, I see 
— a fine coach, champagne parties, and dinners at six.” 

“ Don’t speak so loud, or your aunt will hear you. 
'She has just gone into the dining-room.” 

“ I will say no more about the wine. Have you 
any news that will interest me? I don’t care for 
your railroads; they will spoil our beautiful valley.” 

“ I have any quantity of news. Mr. Banks, the 
district attorney, is building a fine house for some 
one. I have heard it mentioned that you might be 
the fortunate party, as he has visited here so fre- 
quently of late.” 

“ Oh, the gossips ! If he has any such idea, he had 
better part with it at once. I can’t bear him. He 
is a walking compendium of the common law. He 
can’t talk to me ten minutes without using some tech- 
nical phrase. I’d enjoy myself as Mrs. Banks! 
Would n’t I, though ? ” 

“ He is rising very rapidly in his profession,” re- 
marked the uncle. 


UNCLE AND NIECE. 


39 

“ I am glad of it ; he can do the better without me, 
then.” 

Have you seen young Mr. Gordon? Perhaps he 
would suit you better,” said her uncle, laughing. 

“You wish to marry me to a lawyer, do you, at all 
hazards, and have me out of the house ? ” 

“You know better, Flo. I wish to ascertain what 
your fancies are, and learn how far I must keep an 
eye on you.” 

“ Watch me ! That would be nice, now — quite 
romantic. Well, uncle dear, you need not keep your 
eye on Mr. Banks, or on Mr. Gordon either. The 
latter gentleman is evidently impressed with the be- 
lief that in eloquence and genius, after his budding 
intellect shall have had full time to expand, Demos- 
thenes and Cicero, and our own Webster, may per- 
haps be mentioned as great examples ; but Charles 
Gordon, Esq., of Glen Lynn, will be pointed to as the 
ne plus ultra of eloquence, as — ” 

“ Indeed, Miss Rivers ! ” interrupted her uncle. 
“Why are you so sarcastic to-day? I have failed to 
observe anything more than self-possession on the 
part of Mr. Gordon.” 

“Self-possession! Why, he already thinks he con- 
ferred a great favor on the people of Glen Lynn by 
coming here to reside.” 

“ I ’ll try, then, if I can’t suit you better. I intend 
to bring the Rev. Mr. Bromley to call on you to- 
morrow. He is very eloquent and very devout.” 

“ Oh, I have seen him already. When his counte- 
nance first beamed upon me, I thought immediately 
of Gray’s Elegy in a Country Church-yard. The ex- 


40 


AT swords’ points. 


pression is fine. But really, uncle, my veneration for 
the clergy is so exalted, that I wish to see them only 
in the pulpit or on pastoral visits ; for I fear that if I 
should meet them more frequently, I should ascertain 
that they were only human ; and what would then 
become of my veneration ? Just think of my having 
my pastor for a husband, and shutting him up in a 
closet if he did not behave himself! ” 

‘‘You don’t mean to apply that discipline after 
marriage ? ” 

“ Assuredly, unless I can be mistress.” 

“ By Jove 1 I believe you would do it, Flo.” 

“ You think so?” 

“Yes; and I pity the man on whom your choice 
may fall. If any of my friends hereafter are atten- 
tive, I mean to discourage them.” 

“ Thank you ; but I shall choose a man of spirit, 
or there will be no fun in taming him.” 

“ By the way, is n’t dinner almost ready? ” 

“ No ; it is a quarter of an hour yet to dinner- time. 
You can’t escape me so easily. Besides, I have your 
secret, you know. Give me some more news.” 

“ Mortimer told me that his wife would give a large 
party next week — a grand affair. They can afford 
it, too.” 

“ Well, that is news. I ’m going. Mr. Banks, and 
Mr. Gordon, and Mr. Bromley will be there, I sup- 
pose ? ” 

“Yes; and all the young gentlemen in the place, 
probably.” 

“They are all about one and the same, except 
Compendium, Gray’s Elegy, and Cicero Demosthenes.” 


UNCLE AND NIECE. 


41 


‘^One will be there that you must look out for. I 
think you will find that he is more than your match.” 

“ Perhaps we ’ll make a match, then ! ” 

‘‘ Oh, horrible ! I will go to dinner now.” 

Five minutes yet. I can’t spare you so soon. 
Who is this remarkable man ? ” 

” Harold Grafton, a warm friend of mine, though 
he is much younger than I am.” 

“Judging from the character of my uncle, his par- 
ticular friend must be a clergyman.” 

“ No ; a lawyer.” 

“What! another lawyer? One, two, three ! Banks, 
and Gordon, and now Grafton. Harold Grafton is 
not a bad name, though. Mrs. Harold Grafton. How 
would that sound? Rather genteel, would n’t it, uncle 
mine ? ” 

“ There, thank fortune, your aunt is ringing the bell 
for dinner.” 

“Just in time, for I am very hungry.” 

“ Oh, Aunt Madge, he has been telling me about 
such a delightful person,” said the young lady to her 
aunt, as they met in the dining-room, “ one that I am 
to be so awfully afraid of. Now that we are all here, 
give us a description of him, Mr. Rivers.” 

“ I prefer eating my dinner.” 

“ I ’ll wait, then, until your ravenous appetite is 
somewhat appeased.” 

“I feel better already: so I ’ll tell you. Mr. Grafton 
is a very fine young man. That is all I have to say.” 

“All, indeed! That is a nice description. Come, 
Aunt Madge, tell me about him.” 

“Though he is a friend of your uncle’s,” replied Mrs. 

4 * 


42 


AT swords’ points. 


Rivers, I have rarely seen him, so that I cannot give 
you the desired information.” 

“ Wait until you see him,” said her uncle. 

“ And is my poor heart then to be oppressed with 
anxiety until the Mortimer party comes off? ” 

” I trust the anxiety will not prove fatal to your 
health,” remarked Mr. Rivers. 

“ And I trust that her beauty will not pale under 
the ordeal,” added her aunt. 

” My own friends are turning against me,” said 
the young lady. “I looked for sympathy, but find 
none.” 

“ The case is a sad one,” replied her uncle ; “ but 
you must remember, Flo, that great trials develop 
the powers of the human mind. I think a little de- 
velopment in that quarter will not hurt you.” 

“Thank you. Do not bring Mr. Bromley to-mor- 
row, though. A single glance at his face would but 
add to my affliction. 

“ ‘ The curfew tolls the knell of parting day ; 

The lowing herd winds slowly o’er the lea.’” 

“There, that will do, Flo,” said her uncle. “I give 
you full permission to ridicule the rest of them, but 
I must request you* to spare Mr. Bromley. He is a 
good man, and a sensitive one. He would be annoyed 
beyond expression, if he heard of your remarks.” 

“Who is going to tell him?” Miss Rivers in- 
quired. 

“No one, I suppose; still, such things, leak out 
occasionally.” 

“If he doesn’t bother me, I ’ll not trouble him. 


MRS. Mortimer's party. 


43 


But he must not come around here looking so saintly 
and attempting to shower his sweetness on me. I 
won’t stand it ; I ’ll say something startling to him, 
see if I don’t.” 


CHAPTER V. 

MRS. Mortimer’s party. 

M r. rivers had resided in Glen Lynn for sev- 
eral years. Enterprising, shrewd, and honor- 
orable in all his dealings, he was rapidly amassing 
a fortune and, at the same time, increasing his already 
numerous circle of friends. Refined and cultivated 
in his tastes, he enjoyed making money, not only for 
the excitement attendant upon carrying on a large 
business successfully, but also for the comforts, luxu- 
ries, and elegancies which it enabled him to command. 

A couple of years before he had erected a house 
upon a knoll overlooking the river. It was a beauti- 
ful home, and, according to its owner’s notions, the 
most sensibly-built residence in the State. 

It has,” he remarked to a friend, “none of the pre- 
tentious elegance of the Estelroy mansion ; but for 
rare views, pleasant grounds, boating facilities, and 
real solid comfort, it is unsurpassed.” 

Here he had a library, which was a source of great 
enjoyment to himself, his family, and his friends. 
Soon after his marriage, which was a happy one, his 
elder and greatly-beloved brother died, leaving an 


44 


AT swords’ points. 


orphan daughter, Florence Rivers. She was then 
quite a child, and, though by no means an heiress, 
had ample property left to maintain and educate her. 

Her uncle took her at once to his home, furnished 
her with all the means she could desire, invested her 
funds in safe and well-paying securities, and estimated 
that, at compound interest — which he could readily 
obtain by reinvestments — she would have quite a 
handsome sum upon attaining her majority. 

When she arrived at a proper age, he sent her East 
to complete her education, and now, at twenty-one, 
she had returned to reign absolute over all her uncle’s 
possessions as well as over the affections of several 
young gentlemen in Glen Lynn. 

Her carriage was queenly; she was rather tall, 
slender, graceful, with a face of the Grecian type, 
clear complexion, dark, soft hair, and flashing eyes 
of unusual brilliance. She attracted far more than 
an ordinary share of attention wherever she appeared, 
and especially at parties and entertainments, where 
her tastefully arranged dress added somewhat to her 
powers of fascination. 

She was not selfish, or indolent, or careless of the 
feelings of others, but she was proud, self-willed, im- 
perious, and possessed of a violent temper. Having 
been petted, flattered, and extolled all her life, she 
had made no effort at remedying the above-mentioned 
defects of character. 

She had, as we have stated, many warm friends and 
ardent admirers. It was generally known that the 
property left her by her father was not large, and that 
though she might be her uncle’s heiress, very many 


MRS. Mortimer’s party. 45 

years would probably elapse before his demise; yet 
every old gentleman in the vicinity who had a son 
whom he desired to see married advantageously would 
have been proud and happy at the prospect of an 
alliance with the Rivers family. 

“ Money is good with a wife,” said one of these 
shrewd old worldlings. “ Not that I would have my 
son marry for anything but love. When, however, 
he has picked out a girl, if she has a nice little prop- 
erty to season the dish with, it will be exceedingly 
well. Now, Miss Rivers, for instance, is somewhat 
differently situated from others. She has a pretty 
little estate of her own, and, to a young man, her 
uncle’s friendship might be worth thousands. If he 
chose, he could, without its costing himself anything, 
set up a nephew in business, so that, with care and 
attention, he could make a fortune. Now, if John 
casts his eyes in that quarter, I shan’t object, though 
he might elsewhere marry a girl with more money.” 

Miss Florence was almost idolized by her aunt, to 
whom she had ever been dutiful and obedient. Even 
in her fits of passion she had never been unkind or 
impertinent to Mrs. Rivers. 

The young lady was also a favorite with nearly all 
of the middle-aged and elderly matrons of her ac- 
quaintance. Younger ladies were, however, envious 
of her talents and rare beauty, and of the admiration 
which they elicited, and freely criticised her imperious 
manners. 

Even some young gentlemen, who were ready 
enough to join in her praise, felt a secret fear of her, 
and neither dared to pay her any particular attention, 


46 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


nor to engage with her in any lengthy discussion, 
where her feelings would become aroused ; for in wit 
and sarcasm she had few, if any, equals in Glen Lynn 
or its vicinity. 

The evening fixed upon for the party at the Morti- 
mers’ finally arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Rivers attended, 
accompanied by their niece, who, partly to gratify 
a whim of her own, and partly because it was her 
uncle’s wish, was arrayed as richly and tastefully as 
her liberally-supplied wardrobe would permit. 

Harold Grafton, she had already learned, was in 
town, although she had not seen him. She was not 
a coquette; yet she desired to make an impression 
on one who was everywhere spoken of so highly. 
She imagined that he was superior to most of the 
gentlemen of her acquaintance, and that he would 
prove quite interesting. 

Soon after entering the parlors, her aunt remarked 
to her that Mr. Grafton was standing near one of the 
windows. Miss Rivers looked up and saw, as she 
afterwards expressed it, one of the most modest and 
unassuming-looking young gentleman that she had 
ever met. 

She discovered none of the self-esteem of which 
she accused Gordon. Grafton was a tall, noble-look- 
ing man, with broad shoulders, and a large, long- 
shaped head. Though considerably above the usual 
size, his movements were at once easy, graceful, 
and dignified. His face was expressive of perpetual 
good-humor. 

She did not learn until long after of the lion-spirit 
hidden under so pleasant an exterior. Soon after- 


MRS. Mortimer’s party. 47 

wards her uncle led up the young gentleman, and in- 
troduced him. As a matter of course, they danced 
together. Miss Rivers found him attentive and agree- 
able. But she was not a little piqued before the close 
of the evening to perceive that he did not seem at all 
fascinated, and that his time was about evenly be- 
stowed among half a dozen young ladies. 

“Never mind,” she said to herself; “I will have 
my revenge yet.” 

A moment later, she smiled so bewitchingly on 
Mr. Bromley that a flood of joy poured over his 
heart. This gentleman did not dance; and Miss 
Rivers proposed that they walk out on the long and 
cool veranda,^ where for half an hour he expatiated 
upon the joys of a pastor’s life. Fearing lest she 
might soon be requested to share it with him, she 
suggested that it was really growing quite chilly, and 
that they had better return to the parlors ; to which 
her escort necessarily, but reluctantly, acceded. 

As they entered the parlors, there was an unusually 
distinct buzz of conversation. The dancing had stop- 
ped for a moment. All the guests seemed to be 
crowding around some object of interest. That object 
proved to be a Mr. Hastings, who hacf just arrived, 
and had been introduced to the hostess by Mr. Gor- 
don. The stranger was evidently a man of the world, 
and perfectly at his eAse. He was dressed richly and 
fashionably, but with so much attention to good taste, 
and to his own figure and complexion, that no one 
thought of him as a fop or a dandy. His voice was 
clear and unusually rich. His eyes were large and 
black, and his hair of the same color. He was slen- 


48 


AT swords’ points. 


der, and rather above the medium height. His face 
was decidedly Oriental in type ; but from his pronun- 
ciation, all were certain that he was either an Ameri- 
can or an Englishman. No one would have cared to 
stake a great deal on his precise age. 

This evening he did not look a day over thirty ; 
yet many of his friends placed him on the shady side 
of forty. 

Gordon had met Hastings about a year before in 
Chicago. A friendship had sprung up between them, 
and Mrs. Mortimer, learning of the fact, had invited 
the latter to her party. 

The stranger was at once impressed by the fine 
appearance of Miss Rivers, and began a conversation 
in his usual style, made up of delicate flattery and 
poetical allusions. 

I do not like nonsense : I have heard all that 
before. Suppose I talked to you in that style: what 
would you think ?” 

“ I should be somewhat puzzled, as I am now,” re- 
plied Hastings. 

“ Yes, that is the way with all you men from the 
East: you think we are verdant. Try us awhile. I 
have in my limited experience known two or three 
gentlemen to go back sadder and much wiser men.” 

“ I trust I may be wiser, but not sadder,” he re- 
plied. “ But what do you like. Miss Rivers?” 

Common sense and brains,” replied the beauty. 

*‘Are you fond of dancing, also?” he inquired, 
becoming, notwithstanding his self-possession, some- 
what red in the face. 

“ Occasionally. I am fatigued now.” 


MRS. Mortimer’s party. 


49 

“ She is rather a spicy girl,” said Hastings to Gor- 
don, in a conversation soon afterwards. 

Yes, indeed.” 

Are there many like her out here? ” 

“ No : she is the only one of that variety.” 

Then I shall during my visit pay her the most 
devoted attention.” 

“That is, if you find an opportunity for so doing.” 

“ Why do you make that reservation ? ” 

“Wait and see,” said Gordon. “You certainly 
would not call without an invitation to do so?” 

“Well, no, I suppose not. What would be the 
results if I did so, however?” 

“ She would not see you the first time. The second 
— well — ahem! you might really have a lively re- 
ception.” 

“ You arouse my interest. I ivill get an invitation.” 

“ Doubtful.” 

“Why?” 

“Judging from her treatment of you to-night.” 

“ Did she not exhibit her usual politeness ? ” 

“ Scarcely.” 

“Ah, I see the point. Time will show. See how 
I get on a month hence.” 

“ Even were you received with more favor, you 
would have several rivals to contend with.” 

“ What do I care for that ? ” said Hastings. 

5 . ^ 


50 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER VI. 

A GOOD JOKE. 

O NE morning soon after Mrs. Mortimer’s party, 
the District-Attorney called at Gordon’s office 
to ascertain what progress had been made in the in- 
vestigation of Rodgers’s case. 

“ I hope to tell you something further in a few 
days,” was Gordon’s reply to his query. ” But sit 
down : do not always be in such a hurry. A little 
relaxation and sociability will do you good.” 

“Have you met Grafton yet?” inquired Banks, as 
he took a seat in compliance with Gordon’s invitation. 

“ No : he has been off hunting for a few days. 
Evidently he does n’t mean to imitate your illustrious 
example.” 

“ He is a student. He thinks, however, that this 
is a good time for recreation before beginning work 
again.” 

“ By the way,” asked Gordon, “ have you heard of 
Judge Rowe’s latest client? ” 

” No.” 

“ Indeed ! Well, it ’s a good joke on the Judge.” 

“ I did not suppose that the Judge allowed people 
to get jokes on him very frequently.” 

“Neither does he,” Gordon replied; “and that is 
an extraordinarily good feature in the case.” 

“ Let me hear it,” said Banks. 

“A young fellow named Simms, living up the river, 
was arrested and brought here yesterday upon the 


A GOOD JOKE. 


51 


charge of turning two or three head of his neighbors’ 
cattle into beef. As you are aware, the laws of our 
State are very severe on such offences. The evidence 
was circumstantial, but strong, and Simms could 
readily imagine that he saw the heavy walls of the 
State penitentiary closing in upon him. 

“ He persuaded the officer having him in custody 
to stop a few moments at Rowe’s office before taking 
him to the magistrate’s room. The constable took a 
position where he could watch but not listen, and 
Simms unfolded his case to counsel without modifica- 
tion or prevarication. 

“‘You have a bad case, — an awfully bad case,’ 
said the Judge, wishing to impress the value of his 
services upon the client. 

“ ‘ I know it,’ blubbered Simms. 

“ ‘ I really don’t see that I can help you.’ 

“‘Oh, you must,’ said the prisoner. ‘Don’t go 
back on me now.’ 

“ ‘ Well, what will you give me if I get you off this 
afternoon? ’ 

“ ‘ I ’ll give you twenty-five dollars anyhow, and 
fifty if you clear me.’ 

“‘That’s fair,’ said the Judge, ‘for a preliminary 
examination. Let me have the twenty-five now.’ 

“ ‘ I ’ve got it,’ said Simms ; ‘ but ain’t it fair to pay 
when the work’s done?’ 

“The Judge hesitated a moment; but, having 
transacted a good deal of business for his father and 
always found him good pay, he thought this was a 
mere whim of the boy, and that he might safely be 
trusted until after the examination. 


52 


AT swords’ points. 


‘‘ ^Now I tell you, Simms,’ the Judge resumed, ‘this 
is a bad case. The evidence is all against you.’ 

“ ‘ I know it. Judge. That ’s what I come to you for 
to help me out.’ 

“ ‘ I Ve got off two or three fellows during the past 
year,’ the Judge continued, ‘on a plea of Jnsanity. 
That does well enough before a jury, but it is played 
out before Squire Smart. It won’t go down with 
him ; no, not a cent’s worth.’ 

“‘What be you going to do, then?’ the prisoner 
solemnly inquired. 

“ ‘ I have an idea. Do you know the Squire ? ’ 

“ ‘ No.’ 

“ ‘ Or any one else round here?’ 

“‘Not one, ’cept you and two or three fellers down 
at the store.’ 

“‘All the better. They won’t be there. Now, let 
me tell you the insanity dodge is played out ; but you 
must make believe that you are a natural-born fool. 
Can you do it ? ’ 

“ ‘ I think I can, Judge.’ 

“ ‘ When we go into the Squire’s court, then, don’t 
say a word till he calls on you. Then, when he asks 
a question, look at him in a very innocent manner and 
say. Boo ! Can you do it ? ’ 

“‘Yes.’ 

“ ‘ And not smile or laugh ? ’ 

“ ‘ Yes.’ 

“ ‘ Remember, your liberty depends on it.’ 

“ ‘ Yes, Judge.’ 

“ So when they went before Squire Smart, the Judge 
pitched into prosecuting witnesses, constable, and 


A GOOD JOKE, 


53 


every one else, for causing the arrest of a poor inno- 
cent fool, as he said everybody knew Jake Simms to 
be, for the crime of larceny. ‘ Besides,’ said he, ‘ I 
can prove that he never saw the cattle.’ 

“ ‘ Wait until your turn comes,’ said the Squire. 

Jake sat quietly, with a vacant expression on his 
face, while the witnesses for the prosecution told a 
very straight story. 

“‘I ’ll hear the testimony for the defence now,’ said 
the Squire. 

‘“We haven’t any, your honor,’ said the Judge. 
‘We did not suppose they would try an idiot in this 
court. Besides, we have had no time to procure any 
witnesses. The prisoner may, however, make his 
statement, as he is entitled to do under our laws.’ 

“ ‘ Prisoner at the bar, do you wish to say anything 
to the court?’ 

“ ‘ Boo ! ’ replied Simms, as instructed. 

“ ‘ Prisoner, stand up,’ said the Squire, sharply. 

“ ‘ Boo ! ’ was the response. 

“ By the aid of the constable, Simms was soon got 
to his feet. 

“ ‘ What ’s your name ? ’ demanded his honor. 

“‘Boo!’ 

“ ‘ Is that all you ’ve got to say for yourself? ’ again 
inquired the court, not a little exasperated. 

“ ‘ Boo 1 ’ replied Simms. 

“ This prisoher is discharged as a natural idiot. 
The prosecuting witnesses must pay the expenses of 
the proceedings. This court is not to be trifled with 
in this outrageous manner,’ said Squire Smart. 

“ The poor farmers who had lost their cattle were 
5 * 


54 


AT swords’ points. 


dumbfounded at this turn of affairs; while the Judge 
returned to his office, in company with the defendant. 
Arrived there, the Judge said : 

“ ‘ That worked well, did n’t it, Simms ? ’ 

“ ‘ Yes. How did I do ? ’ 

“ ‘ First-rate ! You can act the fool to perfection.’ 

“ ‘ I can, can I ? ’ 

“ ‘ Yes. Come, let me have that fifty dollars.’ 

Simms’s features assumed at once ah idiotic ex- 
pression ; and, putting his face up close to the Judge’s, 
he exclaimed: 

“ ‘ Boo ! ’ 

“‘Give me the money, I say,’ repeated the Judge, 
sternly. 

“ ‘ Boo ! ’ replied Simms. 

“ ‘ Give me that mo7iey, and stop your fooling, this 
minute ! We have had enough of it.’ 

“ ‘ Boo-oo-oo ! ’ said Simms. 

“‘You infernal villain! do you mean to cheat me?’ 
now exclaimed the completely infuriated Judge, grasp- 
ing his heavy cane, and making for his client. 

“ The client was the quicker, and, slipping outside, 
held the door almost closed between himself and his 
counsel, while through the small aperture remaining, 
he remarked : 

“ ‘Bool’ 

“ And, as the Judge tells the story himself, for he 
says it is too good to keep, about half an hour after- 
wards some one on horseback dashed by his office 
door, and as he opened it to find out, if possible, who 
the rider might be, he heard from the horseman the 
prolonged sound of 

“ ‘ Boo-oo-oo-oo-oo ! ' 


THE RIVALS. 


55 


“He says that after that there was no question in 
his mind as to who that rider was.” 

“ That beats me out of a case in the circuit court,” 
said Banks, stolidly, as he walked down the street. 


CHAPTER Vll. 

THE RIVALS. 

H astings in a short time made several friends 
in Glen Lynn. He was liberal, easy in his 
manners, and inclined to be sociable. His conversa- 
tion abounded in wit, lively anecdotes, and accounts 
of strange lands that he had visited. He was well 
read, and spoke a number of languages with fluency. 
Nevertheless there was something about him that 
inspired a vague sense of distrust in the minds of 
shrewd observers. At the same time, they would 
have been at a loss to explain in what the peculiarity 
consisted. One suggested that the simile of a leop- 
ard, beautiful, agile, and treacherous, would apply 
especially to him. 

He insinuated himself fully into the confidence of 
Gordon, who was gratified by the attentions he re- 
ceived from so finished a man of the world. Hastings 
was a complete master of that delicate flattery which 
is so palatable, particularly to the young and ambi- 
tious. He had also the dangerous power of clothing 


4 


S6 


AT swords’ points. 


the appearance of sin in such fascinating light, that 
the unsuspecting would soon censure themselves for 
their former folly in having regarded those acts as 
errors, which, under the wand of this enchanter, ap- 
peared to be, if not virtues, at least quite harmless 
pleasures. He studied the hopes, the aspirations, the 
predilections, and the foibles of Gordon with the 
greatest care. He ascertained without difficulty that 
a jealousy was rapidly growing up in the mind of the 
young lawyer towards Harold Grafton. There was 
no apparent cause for it, as the latter had scarcely 
begun his practice in Glen Lynn. But Gordon was 
shrewd, and he soon felt convinced that if a rivalry 
should spring up between them and a long battle be 
fought for position and precedence, his opponent 
would be successful ; for, with an industry and a 
shrewdness quite equal to those of Gordon, Grafton 
had a powerful and original mind. He would com- 
prehend almost intuitively that which Gordon would 
have to grapple with by painful study before he could 
master it. Gordon was guided by the books in every 
effort that he attempted. Grafton would strike out 
his course freely and independently, using the rules 
of law as the means for obtaining his end. Law to 
him was founded in justice, and where a well-estab- 
lished principle appeared contrary to natural equity, 
he would trace it back as far as was possible towards 
its original source, that he might ascertain why the 
founders of our jurisprudence had held in its favor, and 
he generally found that there were excellent reasons for 
its establishment. He was a rare judge of the human 
heart, and a keen scrutinizer of the appearance and 


THE RIVALS. 


57 


motives of men. He. believed that his profession was 
thoroughly honorable and could be consistently and 
conscientiously followed by one who, like himself, 
acknowledged the universal guidance of the All- 
Father. He could not admit, with his sound sense 
and practical experience, that there was a right side 
and a wrong side to every case, for by far the larger 
proportion of those tried in our courts are either con- 
flicting in law and evidence or else have a goodly 
proportion of law and equity on both sides. It is an 
error to suppose that many cases are brought up 
where all the law or all the fact is upon one side and 
against the other. Grafton went further, however. 
He would never accept a retainer in a cause where, 
if he was aware of it, the strict rules of law would 
enable his proposed client to defeat the ends of jus- 
tice. Such cases are, however, rare in practice. One 
not acquainted with our courts of law would be sur- 
prised to know how great a number of causes, if sub- 
mitted solely to the decision of any one of our 
clearest-headed, most upright, and learned judges, 
would puzzle him in his decisions both as to law and 
as' to fact, for the reason that so many of them are 
almost evenly balanced on these two points. 

Notwithstanding all that has been said to the 
contrary, few attorneys and few clients desire to 
bring or to defend a suit where they have not a 
good supply of facts, of law, or of justice upon their 
side. 

Laws in their nature must be general, and from 
their very nature cannot be so drawn or established 
as to work perfect justice in every case. Still, they 


58 


AT swords’ points. 


are founded in justice and equity, although in par- 
ticular instances they necessarily produce hardship. 

Because at times it seems almost unjust to compel 
a man who has been unfortunate to pay immediately 
what he owes, — that would certainly be no reason for 
repealing the laws which provide that a man must do 
as he has promised. 

Or because a person is occasionally prevented, 
under the statute of limitations, from collecting a just 
debt, it by no means follows that those statutes, after 
being tested by all our courts, and found to be equi- 
table, and having, in countless instances, prevented the 
bringing up of fraudulent, manufactured, and settled 
claims, should be set aside or abolished. 

The same might be said of the statute of frauds, 
as it is termed, or, rather, the statute to prevent frauds, 
which provides that certain contracts can be valid 
only when reduced to writing and signed by the par- 
ties. In some instances persons ignorant of the la\^‘ 
have been defrauded by means of it ; but where we 
find one who has been thus wronged we may find 
thousands who have been protected by the necessity 
of putting down on paper clearly and explicitly every 
item of a contract to which they intend to bind them- 
selves. 

Grafton, therefore, believed it right, where there 
were strongly conflicting claims, to present the case 
of his client fearlessly, faithfully, and to the best of 
his ability, and to avail himself of whatever honora- 
ble advantages the laws of his country gave him. 
The opposition had precisely the same rights. Each 
side was presented and summed up to a learned court 


THE RIVALS. 


59 


and an impartial jury. It was, in his opinion, the 
fairest and best means yet devised for the settlement 
of such controversies, and each must abide the result. 

Grafton, before removing to Glen Lynn, had sur- 
prised many of his acquaintances by the originality 
he displayed in the prosecution and defence of his 
causes. He did not attempt to evade or ignore the 
laws ; he reverenced them instead. And into what- 
ever new paths he might diverge, he was always found 
going strictly in accordance with the fundamental 
principles of jurisprudence. 

Gordon could not regard the profession from so 
high a standpoint, hie looked at the law simply as 
the books gave it to him — not as a magnificent sys- 
tem of philosophy founded in equity and wisdom, 
but as a means of pushing ahead his own fortunes 
and of giving him a high and honorable position in 
life. He was very fond of sharp points, shrewd prac- 
tice, and legal technicalities, by which he could show 
how well read he was and how thoroughly posted 
upon the rules. He also had a strong and comprehen- 
sive mind and shrewd common sense. His intellect, 
however, had neither the breadth nor the depth of 
Grafton’s. 

Until he fell under the malign influence of Hast- 
ings, he was fully resolved to follow his profession 
fairly and honorably, not simply that he would ob- 
serve all the rules of practice and etiquette established 
by the bar, but that he would do his duty in a high 
moral sense. How far he deviated from these good 
resolutions is yet to be seen. 

In the preparation and trial of ordinary cases he 


6o 


AT swords’ points. 


proved himself, as time passed on, to be fully the 
equal of Grafton, and was very successful in his prac- 
tice. When the latter, however, was engaged in some 
important suit that stirred up all his energies and 
brought into play his various passions and emotions, 
he rose above his usual methods of procedure, thor- 
oughly identified himself with the cause of his 
client, and appeared to think and feel as if life itself 
would not be worth possessing unless he won the 
contest. 

On such occasions the jegilousy of Gordon was 
aroused to its highest pitch. He had flattered him- 
self that he would soon succeed to the best business 
in Glen Lynn ; but now he saw that Grafton stood in 
his way. 

Hastings would gladly have encouraged the same 
intimacy with Grafton that already existed between 
himself and Gordon. But the former gentleman, 
without being at all rude, discouraged his advances. 
Hastings’s self-love was wounded, and from that time 
he never lost an opportunity to speak about Grafton in 
an unkind or sarcastic manner, especially to Gordon, 
who was always pleased at the disparagement of his 
rival. 

A public meeting was held for the purpose of aid- 
ing the new railway. All the lawyers in town were 
invited to make short speeches upon the subject. 

Gordon addressed the meeting in a practical way, 
made some excellent points, demonstrated the great 
advantages that would accrue to Glen Lynn upon the 
completion of the road, and was greeted with loud 
applause. 


THE RIVALS. 


6i 


Grafton followed him, and, as usual, took a broad 
view of the case in hand. It was not simply the 
question of dollars and cents, he said, that was to be 
considered on such an occasion, it was the welfare of 
the entire country lying west of their beautiful river. 
Other towns would be built, to grow up and flourish, 
without the slightest detriment to the prosperity of 
Glen Lynn ; pleasant homes would be erected where 
now were forests or uncultivated prairie; thousands 
of men with limited means could then gain easy access 
to this fertile region of the West, which, under their 
care, would soon bloom like a garden ; wealth would 
rapidly increase, and, even if it did not all flow towards 
Glen Lynn, that town would certainly receive its full 
proportion. He spoke of the immense power for good 
which railroads had already proved themselves to be ; 
insisted that the one from Chicago to their village was 
only the beginning of a great work ; demonstrated 
from his own knowledge of the country, and from 
carefully prepared maps which he had brought with 
him, that eventually, as the centre of a net-work of 
railways, which now were for the first time suggested, 
and the routes of which he had carefully studied and 
was ready to prove practical, Glen Lynn, and not 
Chicago, would reap the benefits of this enterprise ; 
and he pointed out how through several rich valleys 
railroads could be constructed at comparatively slight 
expense. 

In closing, he said, that while sooner or later all 
‘these undertakings would be carried out, now was the 
time for their own town to take decided action in the 
matter, which would not only secure to them the 
6 


62 


AT swords’ points. 


greater benefits, but would also give them a wide 
reputation for enterprise and public spirit. They 
would therefore not only benefit themselves, but 
would also deserve the gratitude of great numbers 
who might not directly add to the growth and riches 
of their immediate section. 

He was greeted with more rapturous applause than 
Gordon. The managers of the meeting, seeing their 
opportunity, immediately called for subscriptions ; 
and in a short time many thousands of dollars were 
pledged to the new company. 

As has been already mentioned, Gordon had come 
to Glen Lynn with high and honorable resolutions. 
He proposed not only to be fair in his practice, but 
also to lead a strictly moral life. He was not a 
church member, but he attended church regularly on 
the Sabbath, and observed that day scrupulously as a 
season of rest. 

After some weeks’ acquaintance with Hastings, 
however, the seductive company and arguments of 
that person had made a very decided change in Gor- 
don’s habits and methods of thought. He began to 
doubt whether there was anything particularly sacred 
in that day ; whether it should not really be a day of 
pleasure and recreation instead of strict quietness and 
meditation, and whether, if he was not riding or visit- 
ing, he might not improve his mind more and enjoy 
himself better in reading some work of interest than 
in listening to a sermon. 

Thus we find him on the Sunday morning after the * 
railroad meeting calling at Hastings’s rooms, instead 
of occupying his pew at church. 


THE RIVALS. 


63 


*‘Ah, Gordon ! glad to see you this morning,” said 
Hastings. “I was going round to ask you to ride 
this afternoon, the weather is so fine.” 

“ I shall be delighted to accompany you.” 

“ By the way, Gordon, I understand that you are 
succeeding remarkably well in your business for a 
new-comer.” 

” I certainly have no cause for complaint,” said 
Gordon. 

‘‘And that you were retained almost immediately 
on your arrival in this important murder case — let 
me see: what is the prisoner’s name?” 

“ Rodgers.” 

“ Oh, yes, — Rodgers ; I recollect now. Well, do 
you think he is the guilty man, and that you can 
provejit ? ” 

“ I am not in the habit of talking over my cases 
before trial,” replied Gordon, smiling. 

“ Of course not, except with an intimate friend once 
in awhile, — one that you know you can implicitly 
trust.” 

” Yourself, for instance.” 

“ Precisely.” 

“ I might tell you a little, then, perhaps.” 

“ Pray do. Cases of murder always possess a fasci- 
nation for me ; and then poor Estelroy, — I knew him 
in the East. He was a splendid fellow. I would do 
all in my power to detect ■ his assassin, if I could 
accomplish anything at all.” 

“ Did you know him intimately?” inquired Gordon, 
with eagerness. 

” Not intimately ; only casually, and by reputation. 
But why do you exhibit so much interest?” 


64 


AT swords’ points. 


I will tell you in time. There is a great deal in 
this case, and much that I have as yet been unable to 
find out. You may aid me, and then it would be 
right to talk over the matter with you freely. I ’ll 
think about it. Meanwhile, it is Sunday. I have 
puzzled myself all the week about this Rodgers’s busi- 
ness, and would prefer to let it rest for the present.” 

“ With all my heart. Still, I must confess to a 
feeling of disappointment, as I had looked for a 
thrilling account from you. Take your own time, 
however. To change the subject, then, as you desire, 
when is the next party to come off? ” 

“ I have heard rumors of several,” Gordon an- 
swered, “ but nothing definite. So you knew Estel- 
roy, did you ? ” 

‘•You suggested that we should change the topic,” 
said Hastings. 

“ So I did ; but my mind will run on it.” 

“Yes, I knew Estelroy; but, as I told you before, 
not intimately. I had only a speaking acquaintance 
with him ; although I was well informed as to his 
general character.” 

“And that, you say, was excellent.” 

“As good as could be.” 

“Was he popular?” inquired Gordon. 

“ He had many warm friends, and no enemies. He 
did not care for popularity, however, as some men do. 
He was neither a politician nor a man of policy. He 
attended to his own affairs, and interfered with no- 
body else’s.” 

“You say he had no enemies. Are you certain 
upon that point ? ” 


THE RIVALS. 


65 


“ Of course I can’t say what Estelroy may have 
done, or that he never gave cause of offence. The 
general impression as to his character, however, was 
that he never gave lasting offence to any one.” 

“ What could have been the reason, then,” asked 
Gordon, “ for his removing so far West ? ” 

“How should I know?” replied Hastings, with 
one of his peculiar smiles. “ Does every one come 
West because he has an enemy whom he fears ? ” 

“ By no means,” answered Gordon. “ But Estel- 
roy certainly had not the same incentive that impelled 
most of us to come here. He was wealthy.” 

“ Perhaps not so very rich after all,” said Hastings. 
“ He had fine tastes, and was master of the art of 
making money tell to the best advantage. I think 
it will be ascertained before his estate is settled that 
it is considerably encumbered.” 

“ Indeed ! It was generally believed here that 
Estelroy was very wealthy,” 

“ Time will show.” 

“ By the way,” said Gordon, now satisfied that Hast- 
ings could impart no information of value as to the 
Rodgers’s case, “have you called on Miss Rivers yet?” 

“ Well, I suppose I might as well tell you, for at 
any rate you would find it out,” replied blastings, in 
a somewhat sulky manner. “ I called, and she was 
* not at home,’ although I heard her singing as I 
passed up the walk. On the following day I met her 
down town, with some other ladies. I attempted to 
converse with her; but — confound the minx! — all the 
replies that I received were monosyllables. I should 
have thought her diffident, had I not been infornied 
6* B 


66 


AT swords’ points. 


to the contrary. She is beautiful, though, and fresh 
and bright. I imagined she could help the time to 
pass for three or four months in a very agreeable 
manner.” 

^‘And then?” asked Gordon. 

“Then I should go home again.” 

“ Without giving yourself any further trouble about 
the matter ? ” 

“ Certainly,” said Hastings. “ What should I 
trouble myself about?” 

“ The lady, in case after the three or four months’ 
pleasant time she should not regard the separation 
as so unimportant a matter as you might consider it.” 

“ Oh, Gordon, you are young yet — very young in 
some things. I might say, with all due respect, your 
opportunities so far have not been of the best. The 
matter that you suggest would not trouble me in the 
slightest — it would rather add piquancy to the affair. 
Beauty in tears or beauty in despair is sometimes very 
charming.”. 

“Well, thank heaven,” said Gordon, somewhat 
exasperated at the cool impudence of Hastings, “ you 
will never see Miss Rivers in tears or in despair on 
your account. Of that you may feel perfectly certain. 
From your own statement, it is evident that she dis- 
likes you.” 

“That is where you and I differ. I think she is 
becoming decidedly fond of me. * If she is not, she 
will be, I can assure you. She knows that her pecu- 
liar and reserved manners will be far more likely to 
attract me than if at the outset she were all blushes 
and smiles, No, sir; that style of conduct for me is 


THE RIVALS. 


67 


becoming altogether too common. I admire Miss 
Rivers’s manners all the more, therefore. And whe- 
ther she is now in earnest, or is only acting, you will 
see quite a change in a couple of months with her 
haughtiness.” 

“ Don’t overestimate your powers of fascination, 
Hastings.” 

Oh, well, you shall see if I am not right. If I 
did not have to start for the East to-morrow, I should 
open the campaign at once.” 

“ I thought you had begun, and were baffled at the 
outset,” said Gordon. 

“ I am never baffled,” replied Hastings, “ where I 
have once resolved on a conquest.” 

“You go East, then, to-morrow?” said Gordon. 
“You said nothing to me about it. Something sud- 
den ? ” 

“ Oh, not at all. I have been contemplating the 
journey for considerable time. It will not be a pleas- 
ant one. I shall be gone but about two weeks, how- 
ever. When I return, I will give you a lecture on 
ethics and the art of being happy. I will tell you 
one thing now, that has guided me over many a hard 
way. Wherever you base your calculations on gen- 
erosity, or any other noble trait in your fellow-men, 
you will be deceived and disappointed; but where 
you make your estimates upon their selfishness and 
vices, you will nevetf- fail. That ’s my experience.” 

“ It is not a pleasant one to contemplate,” answered 
Gordon. 

“ I am aware of that. But the sooner you are 
guided by that rule, the fewer mistakes you will 


68 


AT swords’ points. 


make and the fewer disappointments you will meet 
with. I have procured many of the good things of 
this world for my own enjoyment simply by follow- 
ing this rule ; and where, in some instances, I might 
have blamed myself as heartless or cruel, I have only 
to recall two facts, which are, first, that if I did not 
enjoy them some one else would, and secondly, that if 
I were in the power of others, instead of their being 
in mine, I should receive no more kindness or mercy 
than I have shown to them.” 


CHAPTER VIII, 


A DEFENCE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, 



FEW days after the date of the conversation 


Tx detailed in the preceding chapter, Hastings left 
Glen Lynn, ostensibly for his former home, and Har- 
old Grafton, at the same time, paid a short visit to 
Chicago. 

One evening while there, Grafton was agreeably 
surprised at receiving at his hotel a visit from the 
Right Reverend George Maynard, Episcopal Bishop 
of that diocese. 

“ Flarold, do you recollect,” inquired the Bishop, 
after the first greetings had passed between them, 
“ how earnestly I endeavored to persuade you, years 
ago, to give up the study of law ? ” 

“ Very distinctly, sir.” 


A DEFENCE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 6g 

“And the arguments I then employed to induce 
you to choose some other profession ? ’’ 

“I recall them perfectly, and, with all due deference, 
my experience has taught me that you were wrong 
and that I was right.” 

“ Strange though it may seem, I cannot say that I 
regret your having arrived at such a conclusion. The 
fact is my son George has just finished his collegiate 
course, and, in spite of my persuasion and authority, 
declines to study any other profession than yours.” 

“ He is well qualified for it in many particulars, 
and, if I were in your place, I should not oppose him,” 
said Grafton. 

“ As I felt towards you years since, I now feel to- 
wards him in a greater degree. I believed that the 
profession of law presented more temptation to a 
young man than almost any other, and that many 
acts which, in the support or defence of a client, 
would be regarded as praiseworthy and honorable by 
members of the bar, would be viewed, in a very differ- 
ent light if done by other men in their daily business 
callings. How can you, for instance — a man of 
honor, as I know you to be — defend a person whom 
you believe to be guilty ? ” 

“ In the first place,” replied Grafton, “ I never do 
it. In the second, it should only be right if I did to a 
certain extent. It appears strange to me that so 
many men regard the profession of law in a false 
light — men of education and liberal sentiments. 
They take it for granted that in every trial the coun- 
sel on one side or the other must be striving against 
law and conscience.” 


70 


AT swords’ points. 


“ Well, how is it with the one who is defeated ? ” 
inquired the Bishop. “ Is not that applicable to 
him?” 

By no means. None of us like to go into court 
to meet with defeat, even when we have been paid 
heavy fees; it injures our reputation in the end. A 
trial in law is just what the word signifies. There 
could be no trial if all the law and fistice were on one 
side I ” 

“But do not such cases frequently occur?” asked 
the Bishop. 

“ Very rarely,” replied the lawyer. “ Many cases, 
however, do arise in which injustice may be done, 
where the law is strictly on one side and equity en- 
tirely on the other. You are aware that it is impos- 
sible to enact a law, however just, that will reach and 
govern every case. But about our profession. Look 
at it in a broad and liberal light — do not judge it 
from individual instances — and I claim that no greater 
temptations are thrown in the way of a young man 
who determines to practise law honorably than are 
met with in many other callings in life. 

“ You will agree with me that education and genius 
may be prostituted in any profession. Take your own 
high calling, for instance, — and you know that I speak 
with all respect and reverence, for I am a full believer 
in the doctrines of your Church, — take your own 
profession in life, and how many young men do we 
see entering upon pastoral duties who are totally un- 
fit, both morally and mentally, for performing their 
duties. Better the men who fail to do right in the 
temples of justice than those who, by their laxity, neg- 


A DEFENCE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 7I 

ligence, disqualifications, and irreverence, desecrate the 
altar of the living God. 

“ No life can be nobler than such as yours, devoted 
to the service of God and of your fellow-men. No 
course can be more contemptible than that of a man 
who enters the ministry as a means of worldly pre- 
ferment. 

“ Among the other vocations of men, none can be 
more honorable than that of a high-minded lawyer 
who practises strictly according to law, who does not 
advise litigation except where justice is to be promoted 
by it, and who on all occasions protects the weak, 
defends the right, and scorns the wrong.” 

“I agree with you,” said the Bishop; “but must 
you not admit that such examples of your profession 
are extremely rare ? ” 

“ Rarer than I could wish,” replied Grafton, smiling. 

But is it not so in every other business ? How few 
excellent physicians do we find in the immense num- 
ber who practise the healing art ! how few truly hon- 
orable merchants among those who transact business 
for us ! and how few even in your sacred calling are 
all that we could desire them to be ! ” 

“ That is the fault of the human heart, and not of 
the calling,” remarked the Bishop. 

“ Precisely ! ” exclaimed Grafton. “ That is the 
trouble in all the professions, ours as well as the rest. 
When men grow better, the standard of the profession 
will rise. It is not the fault of the law, nor of the 
study of it. But lawyers, no less than clergymen and 
bankers and merchants and physicians, are human, 
and they will avail themselves of the knowledge and 
power they possess.” 


72 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


“ There is certainly ample opportunity for elevating 
the standard,” said the Bishop, dryly. 

“Would not that observation apply with equal force 
elsewhere ? ” replied Grafton. “ As I was about to 
remark, however, while our profession honorably pur- 
sued is a noble one, there is no doubt that a thorough 
knowledge of the law, in the possession of an un- 
scrupulous man of shrewd and subtle intellect, is a 
means of power by which much evil may be wrought, 
and that a lawyer who prostitutes his learning and 
ability to unjust purposes is as much a subject of rep- 
rehension and contempt as is a hypocrite or worldling 
who enters holy orders.” 

“You have stated,” said the Bishop, “that in many 
cases an honorable lawyer could defend the right and 
prevent oppression. How is it when you are defend- 
ing a criminal whom you know to be guilty? You 
have not yet replied to that question.” 

“ I did not say,” answered Grafton, “ that I would 
defend a person whom I knew to be guilty. But the 
laws, which we are solemnly sworn to observe and 
support, guarantee to every man charged with crime 
certain rights upon his trial ; and those rights must 
be protected, or universal injustice will be done. It 
is generally better for a man who is guilty as charged 
in the indictment to plead guilty and throw himself 
upon the mercy of the court. But nearly every crime 
has many degrees. The prisoner should not be 
punished for the higher wheq he is guilty only of the 
lesser; and it is the duty of the attorney in the 
defence, if he is supported by evidence, to see that his 
client receives no greater punishment than the law 
provides for that particular offence. 


A DEFENCE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 73 

“ Frequently a person who has been the mere dupe 
of more designing villains is indicted, while the greater 
criminals go free. I have known of several instances 
where, even though the party charged was at least 
technically guilty, yet, after a thorough defence was 
made for him, his crime assumed a much lighter 
shade, and the offence was brought home to the in- 
stigator of the matter and those most thoroughly 
guilty. 

“ Very often men heretofore innocent have, without 
intention, and through ignorance of law, aided in 
some criminal transaction. Their intentions were not 
evil ; and yet a strict construction of the law would 
hold them guilty. Would an advocate be culpable 
who, under such circumstances, should use every 
means in his power to make the prisoner’s sentence 
as light as possible ? 

“Our laws against murder, though just, are cer- 
tainly severe. Would you be inclined to censure 
counsel who, even were he satisfied that his client had 
killed a person, upon a conflict of evidence as to pre- 
meditation and malice aforethought, should use his 
best endeavors to obtain a verdict reducing the crime 
from the first to the second degree, thereby saving 
the life of the prisoner, who still would receive ade- 
quate punishment — that is, imprisonment for the rest 
of his days ? ” 

“I admit,” replied Bishop Maynard, “that you pre- 
sent the matter in a different light from that in which 
I have hitherto viewed it. It would indeed be hard 
to find fault with counsel under such circumstances.” 

“ In civil cases,” continued Grafton, “ by far the 
7 


74 


AT swords’ points. 


most numerous in our practice, I admit that the rules 
are different. But the fact that in such cases one or 
the other attorney is always defeated, does not prove 
that the unsuccessful lawyer has been engaged in 
what he knew to be an unrighteous cause. I repeat 
that we neither conduct nor defend cases where the 
law and justice are all on one side. There must be a 
conflict either of law or of testimony, as a rule, to 
bring it fairly to an issue. More than half of the 
civil suits in our courts end in judgment by default; 
that is, the plaintiff, having a clear case, begins suit, 
not to have it litigated, but for the enforcement of his 
rights against the defendant, to compel him either to 
pay money due, or to perform some act which the 
law says he shall perform. The party sued, having 
no defence, makes none ; and the plaintiff obtains his 
relief by default. 

“ In such cases, as well as in the prosecution and 
defence of criminals, it is necessary that the conduct 
of affairs should be in the hands of men who under- 
stand the law and are skilled in the practice of our 
courts. 

“ That lawyers are necessary, therefore, I believe 
all will admit. The question with you, probably, is 
how far their powers should be limited.’’ 

“ That is, I think, a matter which might well be in- 
quired into ; but for the present I am simply endeav- 
oring to perform my duty,’’ replied Bishop Maynard. 
“ George is determined to enter your profession. He 
is of age, and must decide for himself. I like your 
views better than those of any other person with whom 
I have conversed on the subject. I should much prefer, 


A DEFENCE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 

however, to have him adopt some other calling, and 
had hoped that you would assist me in persuading 
him to do so. But, since you decline to interfere in 
the matter, I now ask you if you will take my son 
with you to Glen Lynn, let him read law with you, 
and keep a brotherly oversight of him.” 

“I will cheerfully do so,” Grafton answered. ‘‘But 
do you not think he would do better in the office of 
some older and far more eminent lawyer? ” 

“ No : I desire him to go with you. I can trust 
him there. He will receive more attention in refer- 
ence to his studies than he would in a larger office.” 

“That is settled, then. He can accompany me 
when I return ; and I promise you that I will care- 
fully watch over him, both as to his morals and his 
legal studies.” 

“ I feel well assured of that, Harold. I need 
scarcely say that you place both my son and myself 
under great obligations.” 

“ The obligations, my dear sir, are not all on one 
side. I feel sure that George will become very use- 
ful to me.” 


AT swords’ points. 


76 


CHAPTER IX. 


estelroy’s enemy? 

HEN Gordon was retained in the case of the 



V V People vs. Rodgers, and had procured all the 
information which the prosecuting attorney could 
give him in reference to it, he visited the ravine 
where the crime had been committed, and examined 
every point, and trace, and landmark in the immediate 
vicinity, that he might have them impressed upon his 
memory. 

The greatest difficulty, as he regarded it, was to 
ascertain what motive Rodgers had in committing 
the crime. No evidence had been obtained upon that 
question. A term of court would soon be held, at 
which an indictment could be found ; but Gordon de- 
termined not to allow the case to come up for trial 
until he’ had ample time to pursue his investigations. 
At his suggestion, the District- Attorney wrote to Mrs. 
Estelroy, requesting an interview, to ascertain if she 
could throw any light upon the matter. 

The interview was readily granted. The attorneys 
called together at the Estelroy mansion. The lady 
expressed her sense of obligation to them for the 
energy they were displaying in the cause of justice, 
though, she said, she could not aid them with any 
facts. She was not aware that her husband had had 
an enemy in the country. He never had had any 
serious business complication, and he had never stood 
in a position where he could have excited the jealousy, 


estelroy’s enemy? 


77 


or been in the way of the interest or ambition of any 
one. She added that on the morning of the tragedy 
Mr. Estelroy had with him a valuable watch and 
chain, and a very considerable sum of money, besides 
some jewels, all of which had remained untouched. 

Mr. Gordon inquired if she knew of her husband’s 
ever having made a mortal enemy before he had re- 
moved to Glen Lynn. 

The lady was startled and embarrassed. Recover- 
ing herself, she replied that he once had a bitter quar- 
rel with a man in the East, but that that could have 
had nothing to do with his death, because, first, the 
person was too great a coward to run the least risk 
of even a prosecution ; and, secondly, Mr. Estelroy, 
feeling that he was the aggrieved party, had offered 
violence to the person, who, instead of resenting it, 
had subsequently taken ample precaution to keep out 
of her husband’s way. 

Gordon would have liked to ask one or two more 
questions, but he saw that he had touched upon a 
subject particularly painful to the lady, and thought 
that he had better wait a short time before pressing 
the matter further. The gentlemen then took their 
leave, having been requested to call again when- 
ever they desired any information which she could 
give. 

“ Well, what do you think ? ” inquired the District- 
Attorney, as they drove towards town. 

“ I think Mrs. Estelroy fit to be a queen,” replied 
Gojdon, in an absorbed manner. 

“ Ah, that is the channel in which your thoughts 
are running, is it ? But I mean of the case,” 

73^ 


;8 


AT .swords’ points. 


“That we shall get to the bottom of it yet,” said 
Gordon, rousing himself. ^ 

“ I don’t think we have made much progress to- 
wards it to-day.” 

“ We have made some.” 

“ How so ? ” 

“Why,” said Gordon, “we have found what we 
had never dreamed of before — that Mr. Estelroy had 
at least one enemy.” 

“So you don’t think Rodgers is guilty?” 

“ I did not say that. The evidence thus far points 
towards him. We may have, however, a slight clue 
to his motive.” 

“ And what do you advise now ? ” 

“ I advise that you have Rodgers indicted at this 
next term of court — there will be no difficulty about 
that — and that you then have the case go over the 
term, or continued, as they call it here. The prison- 
er’s counsel will ask for that themselves. They will 
not know how weak our case is at present, and where 
a ifian is on trial for hjs life they will require at least 
some time for the preparation of his defence. It will 
be better for us that the motion come from the other 
side.” 

“You are right. We will put on a bold front, as 
if fully prepared.” 

“ That is an excellent suggestion,” said Gordon ; 
“ for if they perceive any hesitation on our part they 
will press the case for trial.” 

“ I am glad you think that Mrs. Estelroy has given 
us some information of value.” 

“ She has, but I must see her again. Now that the 


estelroy’s enemy ? 


79 


subject has been. brought up, she will think it over, 
and be ready to talk with us upon it. There is more 
behind it than you or even I imagine at present. To 
tell you the truth, I am beginning to suspect that Mr. 
Estelroy was not always the mild-mannered man that 
people here in Glen Lynn supposed him to be. If 
he had been he never could have won that spirited 
and beautiful lady. 

“ I saw him once in Chicago when I was in Judge 
Miller’s office. He came to consult with the Judge 
about business transactions East in which he thought 
he had been wronged by a former friend. The Judge 
advised him to conciliatory action as a matter of 
economy, but he would listen to nothing of the kind, 
and, though he remained cool and gentlemanly in his 
conduct, I was satisfied that he would prove a dan- 
gerous enemy, especially if he had right on his side. 
As I remarked before, there is a good deal back of 
this yet. In the case referred to Estelroy was right, 
for as soon as he showed his teeth his pretended 
friend adjusted the affair in a satisfactory manner.” 

“ You think Mrs. Estelroy is ready to aid us as far 
as she can ? ” 

“ More than ready ; she is eager to* do so. I have 
never seen a lady with such perfect control of her 
feelings. Without being vindictive, she is determined 
that condign punishment shall be visited upon the 
guilty one, whoever he may be. Estelroy must have 
had a secret history. Whether we shall ever learn 
it is doubtful. It is strange that, with his culture and 
rare qualities, and with a wife who might have adorned 
any circle, he should have chosen a frontier town for 
his home.” 


8o 


AT swords’ points. 


“You do not mean to intimate that he was com- 
pelled to leave the East for improper conduct on his 
part ? ” inquired the District-Attorney. 

“ By no means. I have said so to you already. 
I ever esteemed his character too highly. I know 
that he did not take any care to conceal either his 
name or his former or latter place of residence. But 
I believe that something must have occurred to ren- 
der his old home unpleasant.” 

“ I have often wondered why Estelroy chose Glen 
Lynn. You are probably correct in your surmises.” 

A short time after this a farmer living several miles 
up the river called at Gordon’s office. 

“ I wanted to see you a few minutes about the 
Estelroy affair,” pid he. 

“ You should have called upon the District- Attorney 
first,” replied Gordon. 

“I did; but he was very busy, and told me that it 
would be as well, or even better, to come round and 
see you.” 

“ Well, what can I do for you ? ” Mr. Gordon in- 
quired. 

“ I don’t know that what I have to tell will be of 
any use, but it certainly won’t do any harm. We all 
liked Mr. Estelroy ; and if such a man can be shot 
down and the murderer remain undetected, the rest 
of us will have no feeling of safety.” 

“Well, do you know anything about the matter? 
If you do, we should be very glad to hear it.” 

“ I can tell you a very little. It may throw some 
light on the case and it may not. The day before 
Mr. Estelroy was killed I came into town with a load 


estelroy’s enemy? 8i 

of apples. I sold them out quick enough, for I raise 
good ones, I tell you, and I expected to get back 
home that night. Just as I was about to start, though, 
I found the tires loose on two of my wagon-whe.els. 
The blacksmith could not set them till morning; and 
when he did he found something the matter with the 
hind axle, and said I must wait and get that fixed. 
Thinking that he merely wanted the job, I jumped in 
and drove off. It was between seven and eight in 
the morning when I fairly got out of Glen Lynn. 
My nearest road home is up by the ravine. Well, as I 
was going to tell you, before I got up th^re the hind 
part of the wagon began to click and rattle and jingle, 
and says I to myself, ‘Mr. Vining, you’re going to 
have trouble, after all, before you get home.’ ” 

“ Well, what has all that to do with the case?” 
said Gordon, somewhat impatiently. 

“You’ll see in a minute, young man. I just want 
to show you how the thing happened, so that you 
may understand it better and judge whether I ’m 
likely to be speaking the truth or not. As I was 
saying, the wagon clicked and rattled, and I got out 
and looked at it, but couldn’t see as I could do any- 
thing for it. So I drove on a little farther, but was 
getting afraid the wheel would come off I was then 
riding up alongside of the ravine, and I thought to 
myself that the best thing I could do was to put a 
good stout rail in the wagon. I stopped my horses ; 
but the fence near the road had bass-wood rails ; so I 
crossed the ravine and found a fence built of good 
strong hickory poles. I picked off one of these, and 
was going back in a little different line from what I 
F 


82 


AT swords’ points. 


took when I went over, when suddenly I came on 
two men very busy in conversation.” 

Did you know either of them ? ” asked Gordon. 

“ Not at the time,” the farmer replied. “ They 
seemed a good deal startled when they saw me. One 
was in a rough suit of clothes, and did not attempt 
to hide his face. I was at the jail this morning and 
saw Rodgers ; and I am sure that he is the man I saw 
then.” 

“And the other?” Gordon eagerly inquired. 

“ The other was a very different sort of man. He 
turned away and moved off a few steps as I came up, 
so that I could not see his face. He was rather tall, 
slender, and very well dressed. He stepped off easily, 
like a young man. I looked at him a good deal 
closer than at the other, for we don’t often see men 
dressed up that way in these parts. He was attempt- 
ing, also, to conceal something under his long coat as 
he walked away, and I looked at him closer for that.” 

“ Did you see what it was ? ” 

“ No ; I did not. It might have been only a cane, 
and that I was mistaken in thinking he meant to hide 
it.” 

“ Did it look like this ? ” said Gordon, rising and 
handing the man an Indian bow. 

“ Exactly ! ” exclaimed the farmer, a good deal 
surprised. “ I see it all now.” 

“Did you learn anything further?” 

“ No ; I went home, and the next day I started 
away up the river, to some timber-land I own there. 
I was gone a good while, and did n’t hear that Mr. 
Estelroy was killed until I came home. Then I got 


JAMES FLEMMING. 


83 


to thinking over the matter, and concluded I had bet- 
ter tell the District-Attorney. I know that what you 
lawyers call links of evidence, are sometimes quite 
important.” 

“ They are,” replied Gordon ; and your statement 
may be of very material assistance to us. You will, 
however, please say nothing to any one about it until 
you are placed upon the witness stand.” 

“ I will not,” said the farmer, as he took his leave. 


CHAPTER X. 


JAMES FLEMMING. 



'WO or three days prior to the time of opening 


- 1 - a stated term of court at Glen Lynn, a man' 
came to one of the hotels in that village, and regis- 
tered his name as James Flemming. 

He was apparently fifty years of age. His hair 
and beard were well sprinkled with gray. He was 
plainly dressed, and belonged to that large class of 
persons who attract but little attention by their ap- 
pearance, wherever they may be seen. He obtained 
a room, and insisted, as he had but little baggage, on 
paying his bill for one day in advance. This prepos- 
sessed the landlord in his favor. The guest, however, 
was restless and ill at ease. He was heard until a 
late hour pacing his apartment. 

A painful struggle was going on in his mind. His 


84 


AT swords’ points. 


manner was nervous and irritated. He would pause 
in his walk up and down the long room, mutter some- 
thing to himself, and then start on more rapidly than 
ever, as if constant motion was necessary to control 
his nerves, and to quiet him sufficiently for the calm 
deliberation which he was evidently seeking. 

His soliloquy, occasionally breaking forth in the 
low muttering which have been mentioned, was as 
follows : 

“This must be done. The fate that has cursed my 
life still follows me. I cannot escape it. I care 
nothing for the life of this low and degraded man. 
If he dies, my difficulties may be rather complicated 
than lessened. But I cannot trust him ; no, I cannot. 
He has a base fear of death. It seems as if the curse 
of Ishrnael is upon me. The hand of every man is 
raised against me. I will not turn back, however, 
nor leave the vantage-ground with my enemies. If 
it comes to that, I will die as I have lived. 

“ This matter, which I thought was exceedingly well 
contrived, was bungled sadly in the execution. Yes, 
I will die as I have lived. If I have not great per- 
sonal courage, I have an indomitable will. But, 
death, thou art terrible ; for I know not where thou 
wilt lead me. There can be no devil. Hell seems 
impossible. I greatly doubt whether there is a second 
life for all mankind. 

“ If there is not, then has my philosophy been sound 
and my conduct founded in wisdom ; for I have drunk 
deeply of the pleasures of this life, my ambition has 
been gratified, and I have experienced on more than 
one occasion that revenge is sweet indeed. 


JAMES FLEMMING. 


85 


But if there is a second life, the vagueness of 
which adds horror to its contemplation, and if God is 
just, as he must be if he exists at all, then I shall cer- 
tainly taste of the exquisite and terrible tortures of 
the damned, whether any place therefor is definitely 
fixed or not. Then the spirits of those I have misled 
and betrayed will haunt me, and the wrath of an infi- 
nite God will rest upon me forever. 

'‘But it is impossible. ‘As the tree falls, so shall 
it lie.' I quote from their own guide. What is there, 
what can there be, of us after death ? Reason teaches 
us that there is nothing. 

“ What can the soul be, after the subtle intellect, 
the child of the brain, is extinguished forever, and the 
heart, the nerves, the brain, the senses, the instincts, 
and the desires are laid away in the cold tomb of cor- 
ruption. 

“ I have been unmanned. I will be myself again. 
I fear no hell — hell, the nightmare-dream of idiots 
and of old women. It is too surpassingly absurd to 
merit a moment’s notice. And yet what is this thing 
they call Conscience, which, in spite of all the efforts 
of my will, still stands like a grinning spectre before 
me and will not down at my bidding? What if this 
thing the vulgar call Hell were but a dim, indefinite, 
feeble image of a reality infinitely more horrible than 
the stupid rabble can conceive of? and trying to con- 
ceive of it without the ability, they fall into those 
crude absurdities, just as men striving at what is above 
their physical strength often fall in-to ludicrous spas- 
modic contortions. 

“ I will go on. Life is sweet. Why falter now ? 


86 


AT swords’ points. 


There is one course to pursue, or all is lost. He must 
be taken care of. If possible, I will see him to-morrow 
and act accordingly.” 

He threw himself upon his bed, and obtained some 
moments of fitful sleep. When morning dawned, he 
arose, went to the reading-room of the hotel, remained 
there for a while, and then ate his breakfast. 

The restlessness of the preceding evening had passed 
away. He now wore an air of determination. After 
breakfast he brought down a small basket filled with 
oranges and apples, and walked to the sheriff’s office 
at the jail. 

“ Can I see the prisoner Rodgers ? ” he inquired of 
that officer. 

‘‘I don’t know. Our rules are very strict, and he is 
charged with one of the highest crimes known to the 
law. Who are you, and why do you wish to see him ? ” 

“My name is James Flemming. I am a near rela- 
tive of the prisoner, and, however grave his offence, 
it is not on occasions like this that we should deny 
our blood. I came to learn if he had a lawyer and 
money enough to procure all that is requisite for his 
defence.” 

” Perhaps he does n’t wish to see you,” said the 
sheriff “We don’t allow prisoners charged with 
capital crimes to be annoyed.” 

“ He will be glad enough to see me.” 

“Wait here a moment, and I will ask him.” 

The sheriff soon returned, and said that it was all 
right, but that he must search the stranger’s person 
and basket before admitting him to the prisoner’s cell. 

Flemming made no objection. The examination 


JAMES FLEMMING. 87 

over, he accompanied the officer to Rodgers’s place 
of confinement 

A sardonic smile stole over the countenance of the 
prisoner as his eyes fell upon the face of his visitor. 

“ So you are here ? ” said Rodgers, gruffly, as the 
sheriff retired. “ I never expected, after what ’s hap- 
pened, to see you in this neighborhood again.” 

“ How could I obtain the reward of my labors if I 
were to stay away?” answered the other. 

“I didn’t think of that. You would be a fool to 
run the risk, and then not get the prize. But I tell 
you it ’s dangerous here.” 

” I know it.” 

“ Look at me,” continued Rodgers. “ Here I ’ve 
been caged these three months, and no one here to 
see me.” 

“ Did not that lawyer come round ? Judge Rowe, 
I think, they call him.” 

“Yes, damn you; but what good did that do? I 
could not talk with him until I ’d seen you. Besides, 
with all your sharpness and chances, you could have 
had me out of here by some stratagem, and over the 
hills and far away long before this.” 

“ There will be time enough to think about that if 
you are convicted.” 

“ Convicted ! ” exclaimed the prisoner, “ convicted ! 
Why, I ’m sure to be convicted in this cursed com- 
munity ; and you know it, too. By G , I believe 

you mean to let me swing, so that my mouth will be 
shut forever.” 

“ I protest I never thought of such a thing.” 

“You lie! Yes, you did. You thought that 


88 


AT swords’ points. 


even if I did blab, no one would believe a convicted 
murderer. Oh, no!” and the speaker’s eyes flashed 
and glittered. But I tell you, I ain’t as big a fool 
as you took me for, if I did hang around here after 
the job was over. I was looking after a little reward 
of mine, too. I ’ve got things in such a shape that 
they can’t help believing my statement ; and if you 
don’t get me out of this, and damned quick, too, you 
and I will swing together. I always did like to travel 
in good company — ha! ha! How would you like 
that journey? Wouldn’t reap that reward then, 
would you?” 

“ Rodgers, you are an infernal scoundrel.” 

“ I know it. Should n’t have had the pleasure of 
your distinguished acquaintance if I hadn’t been. 
What did you come to see me for ? That ’s it, ex- 
actly.” 

” If you had done as I told you, and waited a day 
or so longer, there would have been less suspicion 
excited.” 

” You and I differ there,” said Rodgers. 

“ I know what I am saying,” answered the visitor, 
“ and I will prove it to you yet.” 

“That don’t make any difference now. The thing’s 
over with. What are you going to do to help me 
out ? Are you going to stand by me and get me off, 
or hang to the same beam ? That ’s the question.” 

“ Don’t talk so loud. They ’ll hear you.” 

“No, they won’t,” said Rodgers. “Stone walls are 
thick.. Now, you have not acted square with me. 
You’ll admit that. But I won’t be hard with you. 
I like your cursed deviltry too well. I don’t want to 


JAMES FLEMMING. 89 

swing, though, for your pleasure. I ’ll give you till 
Monday morning, when court opens, to say just what 
you ’ll do; and if you don’t get up a plausible plan by 
that time, I will just tell the old Judge all about it, 
and he will order you into custody devilish sudden. 
Meantime, don’t try to dodge. I’ve got two or three 
pals left yet, and they ’ll keep an eye on you. If you 
attempt to skip out, you ’ll feel cold steel, that ’s all : 
so be careful. You know l always tell you the truth.” 

A chill passed over the visitor; but he did not show 
fear in his face. He quietly replied : 

“You gain nothing, Rodgers, by talking in that 
way to me. I shall certainly do all I can to aid you. 
Besides, my sufferings would not alleviate yours.” 

“ Oh, but they would, though. I could die twice 
as easy if I thought you were jerking and dancing 
on nothing close by me. Yes, sir; and if you don’t 
want to try it, you had better be ready on Monday, I 
can tell you.” 

Again a shudder passed through the frame of 
Flemming. He coolly continued, however, “ I will 
do all that you wish, and will be here at least by 
Sunday to see you again. I have brought you some 
fruit. If you like it, I will fetch some more then.” 

“Well, that was kind of you,” said Rodgers. “The 
jail-fair is n’t of the best. These are good.” 

The prisoner, now in better humor, sat and talked 
with his visitor until about half the fruit in the basket 
had disappeared. Then the sheriff called, and the 
visitor, emptying out the rest of the fruit, took his 
basket and departed, after saying good-by, and that 
he would soon call again. 

8 * 


90 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


Flemming went to the hotel, threw the basket on 
the fire in his room, as he muttered, “ He ’s fixed ! 
He won’t blab any now. I’m thinking,” ate his dinner, 
and then took the stage just starting for the East. 

Rodgers complained of feeling ill the day after the 
visit of Flemming, and said that he had eaten too 
much fruit when he was not accustomed to it. Little 
attention, however, was paid to his complaints. On 
Sunday he was worse, and a physician was called in. 
He failed to discover anything serious to be the 
matter with his patient, but administered opiates, 
which made him feel somewhat better. 

Court commenced on Monday. The witnesses 
were all ready to appear before the grand jury in the 
Rodgers’s case. An indictment had already been 
carefully drawn. It required but a short time for the 
grand jury to pass upon it, and they soon presented 
it to the court. A bailiff was directed to bring in the 
prisoner. He returned with the startling intelligence 
that Rodgers was dead in his cell. 

It is scarcely necessary to say that great excite- 
ment prevailed in Glen Lynn, and that the excitement 
increased when it was hinted that Rodgers had died 
by foul means. 

Gordon was disappointed in not being able to figure 
at the trial; but the proof thus adduced of the cor- 
rectness of his theory in reference to Estelroy’s mur- 
der was gratifying. 

A coroner’s inquest was held. Though Banks and 
Gordon exerted themselves to the utmost in searching 
for evidence to prove poisoning, they utterly failed. 
The community settled down into the belief that it 


JAMES FLEMMING. 


91 


was a natural death. The physicians had been unable 
to obtain any trace of poison. Nevertheless, Gordon 
was more than ever convinced that his theory of the 
case was the only one that could be regarded as satis- 
factory, and he resolved not to let the subject drop, 
but to pursue his inquiries and investigations as long 
as he could find a clue to follow. 

When inquiries were subsequently made, it was 
ascertained that the passenger, Flemming, had a ticket 
for a long distance, but that on the second night he 
disappeared at one of the stations, and the stage was 
filled with other passengers. He was never after- 
wards seen upon that line. 

Mrs. Estelroy had never believed that Rodgers was 
the guilty party. She had, however, entertained a 
vague hope that his trial might throw some light 
upon the mystery. That hope was now gone, and 
her feelings became more gloomy and despondent 
than ever. 


92 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XI. 


Gordon’s aspirations. 

HEN Gordon first saw Mrs. Estelroy he ad- 



V V mired her greatly. As time passed on, though 
he rarely saw her, he became completely fascinated. 
He was incapable of cherishing the deep and unselfish 
love of a man like Grafton. His feelings were more 
of the nature of a feverish dream. The fact that in 
position in life they were so far separated, and that 
Mrs. Estelroy’s great sorrow still further prevented 
him from giving the slightest intimation of his feel- 
ings, only led Gordon to brood more and more over 
the subject, and to resolve more determinedly never 
to relinquish his hopes. 

He had sufficient control over himself not to let 
his passion interfere with his business or his ambi- 
tious projects. Besides this he believed that, as he 
rose in his profession, the obstacles in his way would 
be removed. Notwithstanding his disappointment in 
the Rodgers case, and the fear he had entertained of 
Grafton’s interfering with his success, he was pro- 
gressing rapidly enough to gratify his most ambitious 
desires. In one closely-contested case he had beaten 
Grafton, and he knew that he was regarded as a better 
lawyer than either Judge Rowe or Mr. Banks. His 
position in society was well established. He had the 
reputation of being a shrewd, keen lawyer, but one 
who, under no circumstances, would take an unpro- 


Gordon’s aspirations. 


93 


fessional advantage of another member of the bar or 
of any person with whom he had business to transact. 

Much of his success was due to his energy and 
great industry. 

He already began to look forward to the time when 
the season of Mrs. Estelroy’s deepest mourning would 
be over, when he could see her more frequently, and 
when he could try the effect of some delicate atten- 
tion. Thus far the only gratification he had received 
was the privilege of raising his hat to her, and obtain- 
ing a slight recognition in return, when she passed 
him in her carriage. 

Gordon still cherished his theory of the murder 
of Estelroy, but had grave doubts, since the death 
of Rodgers, whether it could ever be proven true. 
Flemming was the only man who now could throw 
any light upon the mystery, and of him they had lost 
every trace. 

Could it be, he soliloquized, that this man Flem- 
ming was the person with whom Estelroy had for- 
merly had the quarrel ? Would or could Mrs. Estel- 
roy give him any further information about it ? Was 
Flemming the true name of the stranger ? Probably 
not. He could describe him, however. 

The day after these thoughts occurred to him, Gor- 
don wrote a note to Mrs. Estelroy requesting an in- 
terview upon the subject of their previous conversa- 
tion. The lady replied that she would be pleased to 
see Mr. Gordon that afternoon. 

He was promptly at the house at the time named. 
He imagined that he was received more cordially than 
upon the former occasion. Mrs. Estelroy had heard 


94 


AT swords’ points. 


only the general report of Rodgers’s death, and had 
supposed the investigation was concluded in that 
quarter. She was deeply interested in the account 
given to her by Gordon of the visit of Flemming, of 
the subsequent search for him, and of the views that 
the attorney still entertained of the assassination. 

In reply to his inquiries, she said that she had never 
heard of such a person as Flemming, and that he was 
not the man with whom her husband had had a diffi- 
culty; that, even if he had changed his name, she 
knew it could not be the same, from the description 
given by Gordon. 

When Gordon cautiously inquired the name of the 
person referred to, the lady became again embarrassed, 
though slightly, and answered that there could be no 
use in giving it; that it was utterly impossible that he 
could have had anything to do with the crime; that 
it would simply call up old and unpleasant memories. 

The lawyer was by no means satisfied. He now 
believed there was some connection between this un- 
known person and Rodgers, and, consequently, Flem- 
ming. But he must wait before pressing the subject 
further. He was fully paid for his disappointment, 
however, when Mrs. Estelroy remarked that his visit 
was very opportune, as she had intended to request 
him to call. Her husband had left a will, making her 
the sole executrix. She had desired not to act hastily 
in the matter. Besides, most of Mr. Estelroy’s prop- 
erty was in the East. Her friends had written that 
the will must be admitted to probate in the county 
where he had last resided, and that she had better 
retain counsel to assist her. She requested Gordon 


Gordon’s aspirations. 


95 


to act for her. He of course gladly assented, and a 
day was appointed on which she should meet him at 
the office of the probate judge. 

Gordon asked a few material questions about Mr. 
Estelroy’s estate and nearest relatives, and then took 
his leave, well satisfied with his call ; for, though he 
had failed in the first object of it, he had been re- 
tained in a very important and remunerative case ; 
and, far better than that, he thought, he would now 
have excellent reasons for calling on Mrs. Estelroy 
frequently, and the intimate relations of attorney and 
client might open the way to relations even more in- 
timate. 

Gordon was not a fortune-hunter. He was already 
aware that while, by the provisions of the will, Mrs. 
Estelroy would have a good income during her life, 
the entire estate, with this exception, would go to 
the young heirs. 

Here, Gordon thought, was at least one matter of 
vital interest to himself, in which Grafton neither 
could nor would be his rival. 

Another subject of vital importance was now pre- 
sented to the consideration of these young lawyers. 
Mr. Banks’s term as prosecuting attorney would ex- 
pire in the following autumn. He had already served 
for nearly two terms. Grafton and Gordon both de- 
cided to become candidates for the position. The 
office was desirable for several reasons : it paid a good 
salary, rendered the occupant thoroughly conversant 
with criminal law, made his position in the profession 
of more importance, and gave him an extensive politi- 
cal acquaintance. 


96 AT swords’ points. 

The Whig party had for a long time been in the 
ascendant in the town and county of Glen Lynn. The 
Democrats formed a strong and active minority, who 
could make themselves felt only when there was a 
division in the ranks of their opponents. Then they 
gave it to be understood that they held the balance 
of power, and that whichever side received their 
assistance upon election day, piust compensate them 
by bestowing on one or more of their number some 
lucrative office. 

But these alliances with the enemy grew extremely 
unpopular with the masses, and very few party leaders 
dared to encourage them. Hence the nomination by 
the Whigs of any person to a county office was gen- 
erally considered as good as an election, and young 
aspirants for political honors looked forward with far 
more anxiety to the day of the county convention 
than to election day. 

As a political wire-puller, Gordon bade fair to be 
far more successful than Grafton. In a short time, 
he had fully informed himself as to the political situ- 
ation of each town and precinct, who the principal 
leaders were, and how far their influence extended ; 
whether, if any of these leaders were not friendly to 
him, they could be successfully opposed at the caucus, 
and who were the men to be seen, and who to be 
avoided. Thus, in some instances, if Mr. A in one 
town told him that he should certainly have in the 
county convention the votes of all the delegates of 
that town, he knew he could rely on it; while if Mr. 
B told him the same thing in reference to his town, 
he knew that it would be so, unless Mr. B was lying 


Gordon’s aspirations. 


97 


to him — a circumstance Qot at all improbable. B 
could get him the delegates if he would. That he 
would, his own statements were not the slightest evi- 
dence. B liked very much to be on the winning side, 
and to have it said that his was the successful can- 
didate. He also, of course, expected to be recom- 
pensed for his trouble, not in dollars and cents — that 
he would have regarded as bribery — but in favors 
shown by those in power to himself and friends. 

There also was Mr. C, from another town, who 
talked loudly of what he could do, and promised Gor- 
don the votes of all the delegates from his town. 
Gordon resolved to have them ; but he was aware 
that if he did it would be through other meaAs than 
the influence of Mr. C. 

Gordon also became thoroughly acquainted with 
nearly every farmer of prominence, every mechanic, 
. merchant, livery-man, and hotel-keeper in the county. 
He informed himself as to the name and age of each 
member of their families, also as to whether the 
younger members had had the measles or whooping- 
cough, and were happily recovered therefrom. In 
other words, he made a very effective canvass of the 
county. The good people differed from Miss Rivers 
in their estimate of him, and said that he was not 
stuck up a bit. Each person was led to believe, more 
from manner than from words uttered, that Gordon 
relied more implicitly upon him than upon any of his 
other supporters. Each, consequently, felt compli- 
mented at the confidence reposed in him, and resolved 
that he would show that the confidence was not mis- 
placed. 

9 


G 


98 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


Early in the canvass, and before Grafton was aware 
of the situation, if a vote had been taken Gordon 
would have received at least three-fourths of the 
strength of the Whig party in that county. When 
the former began his political labors, it would have 
been too late for him to pursue Gordon’s policy. But 
he had no inclination so to do. He could not directly 
approach a man and solicit his vote. He travelled 
through the county, saw all his friends, of whom he 
had made quite a number by his ability and genial 
manners, and left his interests entirely in their hands. 
It was a dangerous experiment, and no one was more 
fully aware of it than the young lawyer himself. He 
could not, however, overcome his repugnance to per- 
sonally soliciting political favors and assistance. 
After looking over the county, Grafton decided that 
defeat was in store for him. His friends, for the first 
time in his life, found it necessary to urge him to 
action. He smilingly admitted that their arguments 
were good and their statements true, but said that he 
would rather lose the office than suffer from anxiety 
and care as Gordon was doing. He could, as they 
were well aware, work for his friends, but he would 
not stoop to work for himself 

His friends, finding him inflexible, resolved to take 
the matter into their own hands. Mr. Rivers, who 
did an extensive business with merchants in the sur 
rounding villages, wrote to those with whom he was 
quite friendly, requesting them to use their influence 
for Grafton, and especially to attend the respective 
caucusses, with their clerks and other employees, in 
order to secure the election of satisfactory delegates. 


Gordon’s aspirations. 


99 


A committee of one from the friends of Grafton was 
appointed to take charge of his interests in each town- 
ship in the county. It was ascertained that Gordon 
had had some difficulties about the bills of certain 
clients with the proprietor of the principal Whig organ 
of the county, and forthwith that paper was secured 
to advocate the claims of their candidate and to op- 
pose those of his rival. 

Gordon had already managed successfully two or 
three causes, arising in the southern part of the 
county, in which the public felt a deep interest. He 
had done nothing improper in conducting them ; but 
he happened to be on the unpopular side, and ar- 
rangements were immediately made from which the 
committee felt assured that not a delegate friendly to 
him would be chosen from several of the towns in 
that locality. 

Great efforts were made to counteract the effect 
of Gordon’s labors in other sections. Grafton was 
not informed of all the plans and efforts of his friends. 
If he had been, he would have opposed them in many 
particulars. They were aware of this, and conse- 
quently kept him in the dark as to some of their most 
important proceedings, and did not inform him at all 
of the extent of their labors in his behalf. 

But both Gordon and Grafton, in this their first 
political experience, were amazed to find that men 
who were strictly honest and reliable in all the ordi- 
nary business transactions of life, would deceive and 
misrepresent on the most trivial occasions, where they 
believed that by so doing they would aid their side 
or their political friends, and that men whose word 


lOO 


AT swords’ points 


was as good as a bond, for the payment of money 
upon a trade or purchase, could not be trusted out 
of sight when delegates, caucusses, conventions, and 
nominations were the subjects upon which they were 
intent. 


CHAPTER XII. 

A MISUNDERSTANDING. 

H astings, after a protracted absence, returned 
to Glen Lynn. He called at the office of his 
friend Gordon on the next morning. 

“Well, what is the news?” he inquired. “You 
are as busy as ever, I see.” 

“You have heard of Rodgers’s peculiar death, I 
suppose ? ” replied the lawyer. 

“ I read an article about his death in a New York 
paper, and I was very sorry for it, on your account, 
as it deprived you of a fine opportunity to rise higher 
in your profession ; but I did not notice that there 
was anything unusual about the manner of his death.” 

“ No, I suppose not. The papers gave only the 
finding of the coroner’s jury. Several of us here fully 
believe that he was poisoned.” 

“ I am surprised at that,” said Hastings ; “ though 
the paper did mention that there were some suspicions 
of that kind. I should think, however, that the ver- 
dict of the jury would place the matter entirely at 
rest.” 


A MISUNDERSTANDING. 


lOI 


It will not, though,” answered Gordon, decidedly. 
“But how have you been during your journey ? ” 
“Well as ever. I have enjoyed the good things of 
this world amazingly during the past six weeks. In 
addition to ordinary pleasures, the follies of my friends 
and associates furnish as much amusement as ever.” 

“ A sad subject for amusement,” remarked Gordon. 
“You will think better of it when you know the 
world as well as I do. Mourning will do no good. 
If men will be such idiots, it is not our fault ; and we 
should avail ourselves of the advantages placed within 
our reach. By the way, I came near having to em- 
ploy ' counsel well learned in the law ’ while I was 
away. There is an item of interest for you ; is it 
not?” 

“ Yes. How did it happen ? ” 

“ A couple of years ago I entered into a specula- 
tion with a friend of mine. Through sheer stupidity 
on his part, he sustained all the losses, while I hap- 
pened to receive all the profits.” 

“ A strange circumstance,” said Gordon. 

“Yes, rather; but, you see, he would pay no atten- 
tion to what I told him, and of course I felt justified 
in protecting myself and keeping what I could.” 

“ Did he propose to make you trouble ? ” 

“ That was his plan. I talked him out of it. At 
first he had his attorney call on me and threaten me 
with an action in chancery, to take an accounting and 
settle up the partnership business. I did not want to 
be bothered with it. I found he was devilish hard 
up ; he whined to me about betraying friendship and 
all that sort of stuff So, to end the matter, I lent 
9 * 


102 


AT swords’ points. 


him quite a sum of money. He thinks that it is in 
payment of his claim ; but I did not have the papers 
drawn that way. Poor fool ! he could not see the 
difference, and one of these fine mornings, when he 
gets into prosperous circumstances again, I will drop 
down on him and make him pay. It will teach him 
better than to come snivelling around me with a bill 
in chancery.” 

“You certainly are worldly-wise,” remarked Gor- 
don, with something very like a sneer. 

Hastings was not pleased with his friend’s manner, 
and would gladly have changed the subject, but the 
lawyer continued : 

“ Was that all the business you had for gentlemen 
of our profession during this visit ? ” 

“ By no means,” said the other, as if a pleasant 
recollection had just come to him, and taking no 
notice of Gordon’s unpleasant tones. “By no means. 
I came very near having a lawsuit of quite a different 
nature.” 

“ I would like to hear of that.” 

“I was at the sea-shore last summer, and became 
intimately acquainted with a young lady there named 
— well, I won’t tell her name now; we’ll call her 
Mabel. You are aware that if there is anything that 
I do* admire it is a beautiful woman, and Mabel is 
exceedingly beautiful, not at all like this Miss Rivers. 
On the contrary, she is a blonde — a soft, dreamy, and 
voluptuous beauty. I was at first drawn towards her 
by her personal charms, and then heard that she was 
an orphan and an heiress. That would just have 
suited me, and I fancied I might as well secure a prize 
there as anywhere else. 


A MISUNDERSTANDING. 


103 


It soon turned out, however, that, though an or- 
phan, she was not an heiress, and I, consequently, 
changed my plans. As you may imagine, I did not 
modify my attentions in the least. She was a very 
agreeable person to help pass away the summer. A 
girl is a fool, though, to think that a man means any- 
thing very serious at such times. 

Mabel and I became exceedingly good friends. 
She was greatly admired, and I enjoyed the discom- 
fiture of the young gentlemen, who could not under- 
stand why she preferred my society to theirs. 

When the season was over, Mabel invited me to 
visit her at her horhe. I replied that I must go to 
Glen Lynn. She inquired how soon she should see me 
again, and, upon my gently intimating that the pleas- 
ures of the season were over, and that I did not care 
to renew them, she burst into tears, and called me a 
heartless betrayer and all the other usual epithets. 
I am accustomed to them, and they did not trouble 
me a bit. I soon convinced her she could not make 
anything by that line of conduct, and the affair would 
have been concluded there and then if her friends had 
not mixed themselves up with it. 

“ I received two or three threatening letters out 
here. I paid no attention to them. I felt that I had 
enjoyed myself well enough last summer to afford to 
suffer a little pain, but I don’t even mean to do that, 
if I can avoid it. They ascertained, by some means, 
when I would be East again, and the entire family 
swooped down upon me, with a lawyer included."' 

“ And what did they do ? ” inquired Gord6n. 

.*‘Do?” answered Hastings, laughing. “They told 


104 


AT swords’ points. 


me the lady was poor, that she had received, during 
the previous summer, several excellent offers of mar- 
riage, one of which would have been accepted but for 
my presence and influence; that I had promised to 
marry her and then refused, and that by my evil 
character and machinations I had injured her good 
name. 

“ I inquired what they wanted then. They replied 
that I must marry her. I respectfully declined. I 
asked what next. The attorney said that he was 
authorized to settle up for ten thousand dollars. 

“ I desired to know what measures were contem- 
plated by the friends of the fair seraph if I again re- 
fused. The reply was short, sharp, and decisive. 
First, I should be sued immediately ; secondly, my 
name should be published in all the papers; and 
thirdly, and most extraordinary of all, I should be 
flogged within an inch of my life before I could leave 
town. 

“ I drew a little Derringer, and told them I would 
not stand any such nonsense. Two or three big cou- 
sins were there, who told me to put up my pistol or 
it would be the worse for me, as they were all well 
armed. 1 saw that they meant business, and I set 
myself down for the contemplation of the same. 

had no particular objections to being sued — that 
occasionally adds to a man’s reputation with the 
ladies ; but to be published all over the country 
might interfere hereafter with some rare bit of fun, 
while to be openly whipped would either necessitate 
my using this Derringer, which might lead to very 
disagreeable consequences, or submitting to the in- 


A MISUNDERSTANDING. IO5 

fliction, for I am not a second Samson, and then my 
prestige with the fair sex would be gone forever-.” 

“Well, how did you come out of it? Give me the 
facts, with less comment,” said Gordon. 

“ I asked for time. They insisted upon my sign- 
ing at least certain papers then and there. I inquired 
of what value those papers would be if signed under 
duress. That impressed the lawyer as ‘ an exception 
well taken.’ I agreed to meet them at the office of 
my attorney the next day. They hesitated, but 
finally consented. I saw my attorney, and told him 
that I must have a little more time to consider the 
case. Though well watched, I rode out of town, and 
at the appointed hour, instead of being at the law- 
yer’s office, was a good three hundred miles upon my 
way to Glen Lynn, to counsel with you as to what 
should be done in reference to this most unhappy 
misunderstanding with the fair Mabel.” 


io6 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XIII. ‘ 

VARIOUS TOPICS. 

I T is a very difficult matter to advise upon,” said 
Gordon, coldly. 

” Oh, do not imagine that it troubles me in the 
least. It is only a slight escapade, that I can have 
settled up in a day, when I once devote my mind to 
it, and decide just what should be done. I thought 
you might give me some suggestions.” 

“ I might, perhaps, after thinking over the case.” 

“ Do so. They will attempt nothing there until 
they hear from me again. I was rather taken by sur- 
prise, I confess. But I rely a great deal on negotia- 
tion. They thought they had me in a trap. I 
escaped ; and now we can settle affairs on a more 
equal basis and under better circumstances. I tell 
you, Gordon, mental anxiety doesn’t trouble me in 
the slightest. It is physical suffering that renders me 
unhappy. I should have come of Italian instead of 
Anglo-Saxon stock. 

“ But enough of this. We will resume the subject 
at some other time. How is the incomparable Flo- 
rence Rivers ? ” 

” Very well, I believe.” 

‘‘Are there any new admirers in the way, or any 
old ones who have received more than ordinary en- 
couragement ? ” 

“ Not to my knowledge.” 

“And how is the mighty Grafton?” 


VARIOUS TOPICS. 107 

He flourishes, and is attempting to defeat me for 
the office of district-attorney.” 

”Why?” 

“ He is seeking the position for himself.” 

”A very clear explanation. You will beat him, 
however, will you not ? ” 

“I think so; but the over-sanguine most frequently 
suffer defeat. It will be several weeks before the con- 
vention meets, and his friends are working hard.” 

” Is he not at work himself, button-holing, and 
soliciting, and bowing, and toadying, and drinking 
with every common politician ? ” 

“Oh, no! a second Bayard has entered the political 
arena. He is willing to accept the office, but will 
not ask for it. Is not his acceptance honor sufficient 
for the poor voters of our county ? His ideas of 
morality, and of the conduct becoming a gentleman, 
place him away above ordinary mortals and their 
usual methods of procedure, especially in politics.” 

“You will certainly defeat him, then.” 

“ I am not sure of that. By his lofty air and dig- 
nified style of conversation he has imposed on many 
young men, and on many old ones also. They re- 
gard him as a second Bacon, or a Mansfield at least. 
They consider his course in this affair as chivalrous. 
It adds new energy to their efforts ; and the fact is, 
they are making the contest rather lively for me.” 

“ Oh, well, don’t borrow trouble. I hate Grafton, 
and will assist you cordially.” 

“ How can you do that ? ” 

“ I will spend money freely in your aid, to begin 
with.” 


io8 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


That is well ; but it must be done with great care. 
With one class, and a powerful one too, it is the 
strongest incentive. But if the fact that money was 
used should become known to the steady business men 
and farmers, it would drive hundreds to the other 
side.” 

“ That is true ; but I promise you the expenditures 
shall be made in such a manner that my left hand will 
not know what my right hand does. Under no cir- 
cumstances whatever shall it be traceable to you. 
Grafton’s friends are helping him in one way, and they 
will use money too ; and I propose to help you in my 
way.” 

“ What else do you suggest ? ” 

“We must get up something,” replied Hastings, 
“ to spring on the convention, if Grafton comes in too 
strong, that will ruin his chances.” 

“ But you must not forget that the election follows 
the nomination, and there might be a reaction.” 

“Very true. Perhaps it will not be necessary at all. 
If it is, we can arrange it so that no blame can attach 
to either you or your friends. We may succeed in 
getting this moral young man into some affair that 
will finish his case, and there will be no reaction. 
Such things are possible. As I once said to you, 
rely on the vices and not on the virtues of the human 
family in laying your plans, and your estimates will 
generally be correct. I suppose we shall hear that 
Grafton’s railroad speech has made him very popular. 
I should have thought it would have the opposite 
effect. It was nothing but buncombe, and would not 
compare with yours. He was evidently waiting for 


VARIOUS TOPICS. 


109 


an opportunity to pour forth his eloquence and to ex- 
hibit his logic. I do not like him, and I never shall.” 

“ That is evident enough,” said Gordon. “ His very 
manner shows that he thinks himself better than we 
are. His friends claim that he is entitled to every- 
thing he may ask for, — not in so many words, but 
that is the sum and substance of their arguments in 
his behalf.” 

“ I shall remain here awhile,” said Hastings, if for 
no other purpose than to thwart the rising ambition 
of the young statesman. I believe that you and I 
together will at least be a match for him. I shall 
keep a sharp lookout in this matter,” Hastings con- 
tinued, “ and I don’t think much will escape me. Graf- 
ton must be checkmated.” 

I shall not leave a single position unwatched,” 
said Gordon. “ He has, however, many powerful 
friends at work for him.” 

“ I am aware of that. But he will do nothing for 
himself; and that is a great deal in your favor. And 
now we have talked business long enough for one 
morning, so I will go to my rooms and look over my 
papers, and will see you again soon. In the mean- 
time I wish you would decide what you will advise 
me to write to the fair Mabel.” 

Hastings then went to his hotel, and Gordon, 
taking a large roll of papers, proceeded to call upon 
Mrs. Estelroy in reference to her business as execu- 
trix. 

She met him in the library, and Gordon said: 

On looking over these papers, I find that there 
appears to be very little left for us to do. Mr. Estel- 
10 


1 10 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


roy was certainly an excellent man of business. The 
will is brief, but disposes of every matter distinctly 
and finally. Your duties are very simple. Of course 
no opposition was made to the will. The citations 
were all served properly, and the time has expired. 
The will has been duly admitted and registered. The 
next step necessary is to file an appraisement ; and two 
persons have been appointed for that purpose. I find 
here an exact schedule of all the property. I believe 
it will expedite matters to submit it to them upon the 
day fixed. I called to see if there was anything 
further to which their attention should be directed, 
and also to make out an exact statement of the debts 
and liabilities existing against the estate.” 

“There are none,” said Mrs. Estelroy. “My hus- 
band frequently said to me that he did not owe a man 
in the world.” 

“ Our labors will then be the lighter,” said Gordon, 
with a feeling of surprise that he did not express; for 
he recollected what Hastings had said upon the sub- 
ject. “The personal property is invested in securities 
of the best and safest nature, and I should not advise 
that the real estate, or any portion of it, be sold, unless 
you think of returning East.” 

“ I have no such intention,” replied the. lady. 

“ Then, in five years at most it will double in value. 
As the schedule now stands, the real and personal 
property amounts to seventy-eight thousand five hun- 
dred dollars.” 

“ That is very satisfactory-. I had supposed that it 
would be from seventy to seventy-five thousand. Mr. 
Estelroy left also a good deal of real estate in the 


VARIOUS TOPICS. 


Ill 


East ; but two of his brothers had an interest in it, 
and no partition of it has ever been made. I suppose 
I have nothing to do with that ? ” 

‘‘You will certainly be entitled to the income from 
it Your friends there can advise you upon the sub- 
ject better than I can. It will be important, however, 
to have a certified copy of the will sent for record 
to every county in which that property lies.” 

“ Will you see that that is done at once ? ” 

“ Certainly. The copies shall be forwarded to- 
morrow.” 

“ And then there is nothing further for me to do at 
present ? ” 

“ There are some things of importance,” the lawyer 
answered, “that will require attention, but nothing to 
occupy much time. It would be well to ascertain 
precisely how the property not lying in this State is 
situated, what income it is paying, whether that in- 
come can be increased, and whether its value is rising 
or diminishing, in order to decide whether you will 
hold it or order it sold. 

“ The leases of the property in Glen Lynn should 
also be examined, and you should be informed when 
they expire, whether the rent now paid is sufficient — ■ 
for stores and residences are becoming more valuable 
here — and which of the tenants wish to remain and 
which, if any, intend to give up their leases.” 

“ That is a matter,” said Mrs. Estelroy, “ that I will 
leave entirely with you, as I have full confidence that 
you will manage it well. The present occupants have 
been very prompt in paying, and I should prefer that 
they remain. I do not wish you to charge them 


II2 


AT swords’ points. 


exorbitant or even high rents ; but I am aware that 
property is rapidly advancing in value, and I think it 
no more than just that the rents should be in the same 
proportion to the value as formerly.” 

“ That is certainly a fair view of the case.” 

“You can look at the different stores and resi- 
dences, and adjust the rents accordingly. Is that all 
you have to suggest ? ” 

“ All, I believe, except that, after the appraisement 
is concluded, and I have arranged matters with your 
tenants, I will give you a complete list of real estate 
and securities from which you will derive monthly 
and semi-annual revenues.” 

“ That will be very convenient, though I suppose I 
could make it out myself” 

“Certainly,” replied Gordon; “but I will save you 
the trouble, as I have all the papers yet, and have 
become quite familiar with them.” 

“ I give you full authority in all matters,” said Mrs. 
Estelroy. “ If I had not had implicit confidence in 
you, I should not have retained you. Business affairs 
do not annoy me at all, only I wish to know that I 
am right.” . 

“ I am very grateful for your confidence and your 
patronage,” said Gordon, heartily ; “ and I trust that 
you will find they have not been misplaced. When 
I give you the list that I mentioned, it will be a very 
easy matter for you to decide in what instances my 
services will be required. If the dividends and rents 
are paid promptly, there will be little for me to do. 
If not, I will look after the delinquents for you.” 


A FRUITLESS PURSUIT. 


II3 


CHAPTER XIV. 


A FRUITLESS PURSUIT. 



HEN the death of Rodgers was announced, 


V V Gordon was exceedingly busy with his cases 
which were to be tried at that term of court. He 
found time, however, to give some attention to the 
case still uppermost in his mind, and soon learned of 
certain facts which tended greatly to strengthen him 
in his former opinion, though the solution of the en- 
tire matter began to appear to him like an igmis fatiiiis ; 
for whenever he felt certain that he possessed suffi- 
cient facts to unravel the tangled skein of circum- 
stances, he would lose a thread, or some new incident 
would be brought to his attention that would again 
throw him into utter uncertainty. 

He obtained from the sheriff a minute description 
of the person who had visited the prisoner a short 
time prior to his death. He then traced the stranger 
to the inn where he had been a guest. There he 
gained further information as to his appearance, and 
especially as to his manners and actions while there. 
Here he also learned that the stranger, having visited 
the jail in the morning, and having apparently ac- 
complished the object of his journey, left Glen Lynn 
by the stage at two o’clock in the afternoon, upon 
the direct road for Chicago. 

An experienced officer was at once sent by Gordon 
to trace the visitor of Rodgers to his destination, and, 
if possible, to ascertain who he was. The officer 
10 * li 


II4 AT swords’ points. 

fortunately found the man who had driven the stage 
on the day, in question. The latter remembered 
Flemming distinctly, and said that they rode together 
as far as Brownsville, a place about thirty miles dis- 
tant from Glen Lynn, on the road to Chicago. That 
was as far as he had driven ; stages were changed 
there, and larger ones used as they approached the 
city. But he was positive that Flemming accom- 
panied him as far as that; for he recollected speaking 
with him upon the steps of the hotel in Brownsville, 
when the stranger inquired how long it would take 
them to reach Chicago, and said he should have to 
ride all night, as he had important business to transact 
in that town upon the following day. 

The officer immediately started by stage for Browns- 
ville, and reached there, as usual, in the night. On 
the following morning he searched carefully for traces 
of Flemming, but could find none. No one had seen 
him, or, at least, no one had noticed him. The driver 
who left there for Chicago upon that particular 
evening was away, and would not be back until the 
next day. The officer decided to proceed on his 
journey, and, to gain time, hired a good horse. He 
learned that he could meet the driver for whom he 
was now seeking at about sunset. He pressed on, 
and found the man at a station where horses were 
changed and passengers took supper. 

This driver also recollected distinctly the evening 
to which the officer referred. He said it was the trip 
towards Chicago, just previous to the one that he was 
now making. He did see the driver from Glen Lynn 
talking at the hotel in Brownsville, to a person 


A FRUITLESS PURSUIT. II5 

answering the description ; but he was very positive 
that that man did not go East in his stage ; neither 
had he gone East since, for he had either driven all 
the stages going in that direction, or had met them 
at some of the eating-stations on the line, and had 
seen all the passengers. He was sure that Flemming 
was not among them. 

On the evening in question, the driver continued, 
there were only four passengers in his stage. Three 
came from Glen Lynn. The fourth took passage at 
Brownsville. All the passengers, except one from 
Glen Lynn, were men whom the driver had long 
known. 

That one was a stranger to him, and, apparently, 
to the other passengers. But he did not answer 
Flemming’s description at all. He was rather tall, 
slender, wore no beard, had brown hair, not at all 
gray, and could not have been over thirty or thirty- 
five years of age. This passenger rode as far as the 
driver went, and thence continued on his way to Chi- 
cago. 

The officer thought that he had gained nothing 
very satisfactory thus far, and that as he had lost his 
clue, he had better return to Brownsville, where he 
hoped to be able to see the two drivers together, and 
get them to compare descriptions. He therefore re- 
turned with the -stage the next day. 

When he reached his destination, however, in the 
evening, he learned that the first driver was ill at 
Glen Lynn, and that another man had taken his place: 
so that there appeared to be nothing left to do except 
to return to Glen Lynn, which the officer did, after 


Il6 AT swords’ points. 

getting from the driver the names of the three pas- 
sengers from there, and making further, but fruitless, 
inquiries after Flemming in Brownsville. 

Upon the officer’s return to Glen Lynn, he at once 
sought out the first driver. That person had nothing 
further to communicate,' except that upon that day 
he left Glen Lynn with three passengers, the man de- 
scribed as Flemming, and the two whose names had 
been previously given the officer — all three of whom, 
the driver insisted, went that night direct to Chicago. 

The officer then went to find those two passengers. 
One had not returned from his journey to the East. 
The other said that Flemming, or at least a person 
answering his description, rode with them to Browns- 
ville. There they changed stages and drivers. A 
man whom he knew also took passage for Chicago. 
There were then only four passengers in all. He 
knew that Flemming was in the coach when they left 
Brownsville ; for he and the speaker sat side by side. 
Subsequently, the passenger last mentioned fell asleep, 
and did not awak^ until they had passed several vil- 
lages and stopping-places. 

When he awoke, however, the seat beside him was 
vacant. In the morning, when it was light, he saw 
the person described by the second driver as the 
fourth passenger sitting in a corner of the stage. 

That was all he could tell about the matter. 

Neither Gordon nor the officer thought it worth 
while to carry the search further. Flemming was 
evidently a person who well knew how to hide his 
tracks, and who intended to do so. East of Chicago, 
where so many were travelling, it would be very diffi- 


A FRUITLESS PURSUIT. II7V 

cult to follow him until they had obtained further in- 
formation. 

Mr. Banks, the prosecuting attorney, was satisfied 
at the turn of affairs, which relieved him of a great 
deal of responsibility and hard work. 

Gordon was displeased with his friend for taking 
this view of the case. Responsibility and hard work 
had no terrors for him ; but loss of distinction, and 
of a fine opportunity to exhibit his ability, was viewed 
by him in a very different light. 

“ Better give up the case now,” said Banks, as the 
lawyers met one day. “ There is no use in pursuing 
your phantom further.” 

I am not pursuing a phantom,” replied Gordon, 
sharply. *‘You have always pronounced my views 
of the matter to be correct, and the facts we have 
recently obtained give additional proof of it. You 
cannot have changed your opinion.” 

“ Not in the slightest particular. But what can be 
gained by keeping up at the fever-point all the time ? 
You can’t make anything out of it now; you could 
not have made much, anyway.” 

I was not going into the case for money,” said 
Gordon. 

“I am aware of that,” replied Banks; ‘‘but you 
laid aside everything else to look after this ; and if 
you are seeking distinction, you can gain it more 
certainly in an important suit with some bottom 
to it.” 

” I shall not neglect my other business. I know I 
am right, and you know it too.” 

‘‘ I admit that.” 


Il8 AT swords’ points. 

“ And I intend to keep on with this Estelroy mat- 
ter until I am satisfied upon the all-important question, 
until I meet with success, or until I am too old to 
follow my profession. That you may depend upon.” 

“ I admire your determination and spirit of perse- 
verance,” replied Banks. I fear, however, that it 
will cost you many hours of fruitless anxiety and 
toil.” 

“You will think differently when I have unravelled 
this matter and brought all the guilty parties to jus- 
tice,” said Gordon, as he walked away. 

But a long time elapsed before he gained any fur- 
ther information relative to his favorite case. 


CHAPTER XV. 

AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION. 

H arold GRAFTON, soon after his introduc- 
tion to Miss Rivers, accepted an invitation 
from her uncle to dine with the family. The lawyer 
was pleased with the young lady, and, we may say, 
somewhat fascinated. He was not very susceptible. 
With him time^was required to produce any deep im- 
pression. But Miss Rivers was gay, frank, and beau- 
tiful ; and it would have required a person of a colder 
temperament and more experience than Grafton to 
be insensible to the effects of her bewitching manner, 
especially as, upon the occasion of the dinner, she laid 


AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION. I IQ 

aside her own peculiar style of conversation and en- 
deavored to entertain their guest in a truly ladylike 
way. 

Occasionally flashes of wit and original sentiment 
would shine out; but he flattered himself that she 
was more sociable than upon the former occasion, 
endeavoring to make herself agreeable, and he was 
compelled to admit that she was succeeding remark- 
ably well. 

He now perceived that while her piquant and sar- 
castic manner was entirely natural, she possessed at 
least two distinct shades of character — the one with 
which he had already become acquainted, the other,' 
deep, thoughtful, and refined. 

Mr. Rivers, knowing his friend well, and being 
rather proud of him, took especial care to introduce 
and converse upon those subjects in the discussion of 
which his guest could appear to the best advantage. 

Miss Rivers soon observed that Mr. Grafton had a 
very keen appreciation of the good things and pleas- 
ures of the world; yet he appeared always to be 
governed by pure and exalted motives. She was 
particularly gratified at an example of this contained 
in an anecdote told by her uncle of one of Grafton’s 
early cases. Their guest was embarrassed, but he 
could not deny that the facts were correctly given. 

Two retainers had been offered him at the same 
time, and upon opposite sides of the same cause. 
One was large and offered by a wealthy man, the 
other small, and by one of that person’s employees. 
But one was the oppressor, the other the oppressed. 
Grafton accepted the smaller retainer, and won the 
case. 


120 


AT swords’ points. 


The rich suitor was magnanimous enough to be 
pleased with his conduct, and to employ him subse- 
quently in several cases where he knew that right was 
upon his side. 

Miss Rivers listened to him, and thought of the 
solemn Bromley, the self-sufficient Banks, and the 
subtle Hastings, as she termed them. It is easy to 
imagine that her comparison was not favorable to the 
latter gentleman. Her thoughts were now, however, 
of the coming summer, which she naturally desired 
should be an agreeable one. It would not be very 
pleasant in that frontier town without some friends at 
least that would be found attractive. Gordon and 
Bromley and Banks certainly would not fall within 
that class. And yet she had enjoyed several rides 
with some of them. She attributed her pleasure 
more, however, to the bracing air, the rich landscape, 
and her handsome and well-trained horse, than to the 
society of her companions. 

Her uncle rode quite frequently. The cares of his 
business were, however, increasing, and..he did not 
go often enough to satisfy her. She wondered if 
Grafton was fond of horses and was a good rider. 
Of course, if he rode at all it was to be presumed that 
he rode well, just as he did everything else which he 
undertook. 

Her uncle, as if reading her thoughts, soon availed 
himself of an occasion to gratify her curiosity. 

“ By the way, Grafton,” he inquired, “ where did 
you get that splendid gray that I saw you riding this 
morning? ” 

“ I saw him in Chicago, and thinking that he would 
just suit me, I tried him and purchased him.” 


AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION. 


I2I 


is a beauty,” said Mr. Rivers, ‘‘and I have 
always admired his color, which might be called a 
light iron-gray. He is dappled also.” 

“ He is a fine-looking animal. I was first attracted 
by his appearance. I found him, after trial, to be well 
broken, spirited, and an easy rider.” 

“ I was not aware until to-day that you were a 
horseman.” 

“ Oh, yes ; my father put me on a horse as soon as 
I could hold the bridle. I thought it was rare sport.” 

“ Did you not tumble off? ” inquired Mrs. Rivers. 

“Sometimes, on the soft grass; it frightened me a 
little, but only taught me to hold on the more care- 
fully.” ^ 

“ I am glad to hear that you are so good a rider,” 
said Mr. Rivers. “ Flo is very fond of going out. 
I’m getting old, and do not enjoy her rate of speed. 
Besides, I am unusually busy. So you see, Harold, 
that you have a fine opportunity to make yourself 
useful.” 

“Well, upon my word!” exclaimed the young lady, 
before Grafton had a chance to reply, “ that is cool I 
I will inform you, Mr. Rivers, that I am old enough 
to go out alone, if you are tired of accompanying me, 
and that you need not trouble yourself with hunting 
up a knight-errant, who will so far sacrifice his happi- 
ness to the cause of duty as to waste his valuable time 
in looking after me.” 

“ I should be delighted ” commenced Grafton. 

“ Of course you would say so now,” broke in Miss 
Rivers. 

“ Indeed, Flo, I had no idea of arousing you so 

II 


122 


AT swords’ points. 


thoroughly. I did not dream of enlisting an unwil- 
ling knight in your service. I imagined, upon the 
contrary, that he would find it a pleasant duty.” 

” So I should,” said Grafton, smiling. 

“ But you must remember,” Mr. Rivers continued, 
“ that I have some especial claims upon my friend 
Grafton, so that if he accedes to my wishes his posi- 
tion will be an advantageous one from whatever point 
we may choose to view it ; for should he find the 
duty a pleasant one his recompense would be ample, 
although in that event I should not give him much 
credit on our account. On the other hand, should 
the service prove disagreeable he might console him- 
self with the reflection that he was rapidly paying 
off the debt due an old friend.” 

” That is certainly a philosophic way of looking at 
the subject,” said Grafton. 

”And my uncle evidently thinks that if we do as 
he wishes, his claims against you will be cancelled in 
a very short time. I am curious to know if that is 
the only way in which he can collect his debt.” 

“Now, Flo,” replied Mr. Rivers, “you are too 
bad ! I never thought of what you suggest. I im- 
agine, on the contrary, that when three months have 
expired, Harold will — But we will await the time, 
and then let him speak for himself” 

“ That would be a safer plan,” added his niece. 

“ In my opinion,” Grafton remarked, addressing 
Miss Rivers, with a very, sober face, “ it would be not 
only embarrassing, but also improper for us, after all 
that has been said, to act upon your uncle’s sugges- 
tion.” 


AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION. 


123 


The uncle looked up astonished, and a shade of 
surprise was visible upon the countenance of the 
young lady. 

“ But,” resumed the gentleman, ** I propose that we 
act independently. If we have a fine time, we will 
not give him any credit for it. And if, on the con- 
trary — it is, however, utterly impossible to imagine 
a different condition of affairs, especially upon my 
part. So let us take a ride to-morrow on our own 
responsibility.” 

“ Now, that is a better proposition, and I accept it 
with pleasure.” 

‘‘Oh, ho!” said Mr. Rivers; “what a difference in 
terms I My object is gained, however. I shall not 
now be teased for the next week, or while this fine 
weather continues, about horses and saddles and 
long, long rides. See to it, Grafton, that you ride 
far enough and fast enough to satisfy this young lady 
fully, then we shall have a quiet household for two 
days at least.” 

“ Won’t I pay you off,” said Miss Rivers, “ the 
next time you go out with me ? ” 

“You will not have a chance very soon,” replied 
her uncle. “ But I insist upon Harold’s telling us 
what he would do if his enjoyment did not reach his 
expectations.” 

“ It is impossible to suppose such a case,” answered 
Grafton. 

“ I think the weather will be fine to-morrow. The 
roads are smooth and hard, although it is so early in 
the season,” Mr. Rivers remarked. 

“ Which is the best road to take ? ” inquired the 
lawyer. 


124 


AT swords’ points. 


” Oh, Flo knows them ; and they are all good now. 
I would advise you to ride up by the river-side for 
five or six miles, and then across to the hill where 
Rodgers was captured. You will have an unusually 
fine view from that point.” 


CHAPTER XVI. 

Banks’s repulse. 

O H, Aunt Madge,” exclaimed Miss Florence 
Rivers on the following day, “ do you know 
what happened last evening ? ” 

No. Nothing serious, I hope ? ” 

“ It was serious, very serious, I can assure you.” 

“ I am sorry to hear it ; though, from the way your 
eyes sparkle, I think nothing occurred to grieve you 
very much.” 

** Yesterday was an eventful one for me.” 

“ Because Mr. Grafton dined here and invited you 
to ride with him ? ” 

Partly. That, however, was only the beginning. 
Don’t you know who called here in the evening to 
see me ? ” 

“ No.” 

“ Why, Walking Digest Banks, to be sure.” 

“ Indeed ! You must have had a quiet evening.” 

“ Upon the contrary, I had lots of sport, and en- 
joyed myself amazingly.” 


BANKS’S REPULSE. 


125 


** Did Mr. Banks have a pleasant time ? ” 

“ Not very, judging from appearances.” 

** I hope you did not hurt his feelings.” 

“ Could not help it. He was so awfully stupid.” 

** About what ? ” 

“ Various matters.” 

“ You did not treat him impolitely? He is a good 
friend of your uncle.” 

** No more impolitely than he deserved. But he is 
so conceited, and can’t take any hints. Oh, I was 
half afraid I would not live through the scene.” 

“ What scene ? ” 

Why, he proposed to me, — popped the question, 
— laid his heart at my feet, and all that. Just think 
of it! ’T was the first regular offer that I ever re- 
ceived, and still I had to reject him.” 

What I finally?” 

Of course.” 

You may go farther and fare worse.” 

“ No danger. Did you marry my uncle because he 
was rich ? ” 

“ No, indeed. What a question I You know that 
ours was a regular love-match. Mr. Rivers was poor 
at the time.” 

“ Did you not have better offers ? ” 

“ I had offers from richer men.” 

And you went farther and fared worse, did you ?” 
inquired the niece. 

“ No ; I went farther and fared a great deal better, 
as you are well aware.” 

“ Well, mark this down, Mrs. Margaret Rivers : I 
am going to do just the same thing. I always thought 


126 


AT swords’ points. 


you were a very sensible woman, as well as a very 
happy one. I shan’t get married until I am awfully 
in love : so you need not recommend this one, or tell 
me what a nice house that one has.” 

“ I do not propose to. I meant only to suggest 
that Mr. Banks was a very worthy, able, and wealthy 
man — one fast rising in the world.” 

** I am aware of all that ; but he does n’t suit me. 
That ends it; and I told him so. It seemed hard for 
him to understand it at first. I guess I made it plain 
enough to him afterwards, though.” 

“ Did he appear to feel very badly ? ” 

” He looked rather solemn as he walked out. , I 
imagine the blow injured his vanity more than his 
heart. He ’ll survive.” 

Mrs. Rivers, who sincerely loved her niece, was 
secretly pained at this tone of reckless levity. She 
gently said : 

“ Florence, I fear you are becoming heartless.” 

“Not a bit of it. You would nearly have died 
yourself of laughing had you seen him.” 

“You will not mention this to any one else.” 

“ Certainly not, except to my uncle. I shall be 
strictly honorable ; and you should be fully aware of 
that fact. Have not 1 always been so ? ” 

“ Without question.” 

“ Then you need not think I am going to tell this 
around just because it is my first. I believe, though, 
Mr. Banks will tell the story to every friend he has in 
town. Oh ! it was a rich scene, though ! ” 

“ Did he not propose in the ordinary way ? ” 


BANKS’S REPULSE. 


127 

“ What do I know about the ordinary way, indeed ? 
Did n’t I tell you it was my first offer ? ” 

“Yes; but what did he say?” 

“ I thought something was coming as soon as he 
walked into the parlor. He was more dignified and 
precise than ever, and, I imagined, considerably em- 
barrassed. He remarked that he was delighted to 
see me looking so well. I replied that I never had 
felt better in my life. He said we ought to be thank- 
ful for such blessings ; and I informed him that he 
spoke my mind to a /. He looked rather surprised, 
and remained silent for two minutes : I counted the 
ticks of my watch, you see. His next suggestion 
was that it had been a very fine day ; and I replied 
that I had never seen a more glorious one during the 
short period of my existence, especially in the month 
of April. 

“ He then proceeded to state that he had but just 
learned of my being a member of the church and a 
Sabbath-school teacher. The information had given 
him a great deal of pleasure. My example would 
prove extremely beneficial. If a person of my high 
spirit and appreciation of the pleasures of this world, 
together with the full power to procure everything 
necessary to enjoy them, could keep in the strait and 
narrow way, why might not every one do the same? 
I was surprised to hear him talk so much, and 
resolved to draw him on as far as possible. I replied 
that I was afraid I could not accomplish much good, 
but that I was pleased to hear that my course was 
satisfactory to him, that I had confidence in his judg- 
ment, and was happy to have done anything to meet 


28 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


his approval. Some called me wild. His commen- 
dation, however, more than repaid me for all the trou- 
ble I had felt about what others said of me. 

“ His face lighted up. He assured me that very- 
few thought I was wild ; that it need not trouble me 
if they did, for I was very young yet ; that he was 
delighted to find that our views coincided on so very 
many points. He had his trials, too. Many of his 
friends thought that practising law was incompatible 
with an honest and high moral life ; but he was satis- 
fied a man could be just as honest in his business as 
in any other. 

“ I remarked that I had ever regarded the law as 
an honorable and noble profession.” 

“You naughty, naughty girl!” said Mrs. Rivers, 
laughing. 

“ Have n’t I so regarded it, I should like to know ? 
When I said that, he looked delighted, rose from his 
chair, walked over to the sofa, and sat down by me. 

“ His next remark was to the effect that he had 
been greatly prospered during the past few years. I 
replied that I was delighted to hear it, but had sup- 
posed as much ; that integrity, industry, and great 
ability generally prove successful in the battle of life. 
His face then was fairly beaming. He took one of 
my hands, and began a fine peroration about this 
world’s goods, devoted attachment, travelling the 
pathway of life together. He was proceeding beau- 
tifully as I pulled my hand away. That appeared to 
disconcert him. He jumbled up the rest of his speech 
terribly. I understood the close well enough. It 
was an invitation to go up to his new house, his 
splendid new house, and share it with him. 


BANKS’S REPULSE. 


129 

Then the time came for me to answer, and I said 
that I could not possibly think of such a thing. 

“ He seemed shocked, and inquired if I did not 
love him. 

“ My reply was, ‘ Not a bit.’ 

“ He said that he was greatly surprised ; he had 
' supposed, and not without good reason, that I recip- 
rocated his affection for me. 

“ I said that he was certainly mistaken. 

“ He inquired if I did not think that in time I 
might be able to reciprocate. 

“ I told him I might in time, but that the time 
required would prove so long that it would probably 
seem like an eternity to him. 

That did n't appear to soothe his feelings, and he 
showed his annoyance very plainly. He sat quietly 
for a time. I thought he intended to sit there all 
night, and was getting ready to go up-stairs, when 
he arose, said that he had been too hasty, that he 
had supposed I was attached to him when I had 
never really given him any good reasons for thinking 
so, that he begged my pardon and trusted that noth- 
ing had occurred to prevent our remaining as good 
friends as ever, and, without giving me time to reply, 
bowed and went out.” 

“ His heart could not have been deeply affected, if 
he desires to remain your friend,” remarked Mrs. 
Rivers. 

I do not think it was. He said what he did with, 
another object in view, however.” 

” What was that ? ” 

” Oh, he has not yet given up the case. He will 
I 


130 


AT swords’ points. 


be around again soon. Perseverance is a great 
quality with him, — bull-dog tenacity, as he likes to 
have it termed.” 

Will you see him if he calls on you again ? ” 

“ I will think about that. The question is whether 
to snub or to tantalize him.” 

*‘I should think you had already done both suffi- 
ciently.” 

” I should, too, in an ordinary case. As I said 
before, he can’t take a hint.” 

“Yes, I remember; but, from your .own account, I 
should think that the hints you gave him last evening 
had rather the effect of drawing him on instead of 
repelling him.” 

“ If he had not been stupid he would have seen 
what I meant ; but he thought I would immediately 
jump at the chance.” 

“ I am glad it is not a desperate case with him.” 

“ If it was, I would treat him differently. Now I ’ll 
teach him some good lessons. Affliction in this life 
strengthens the spirit. I have heard him assert that 
frequently.” 

“ How will you commence?” 

“ I will begin a desperate flirtation with some one 
else.” 


AN ADVENTURE. 


I3I 


CHAPTER XVII. 

AN ADVENTURE. 

O N a cool evening in May, as Miss Rivers was 
looking out from one of the verandas of her 
uncle’s house, she saw two horsemen riding up from 
town. As they came through the gate, she recog- 
nized one as Harold Grafton, The other seemed to 
be an attendant, who rode a beautiful pony all ready- 
saddled for a lady’s use. 

Grafton inquired if she would be pleased to ride 
that evening. Her reply was that she would have on 
her riding-habit in a moment. When she appeared 
again she suggested that her own horse, which she 
was accustomed to ride, be brought out and saddled 
instead of the one that Mr. Grafton had provided; 
but he urged her strongly to try the latter, which he 
said was perfectly trained and the easiest pony to ride 
in the country. 

They were soon mounted, and started off on an 
easy canter. When, however, they reached the 
smooth road by the river. Miss Rivers put her horse 
into a gallop, and her escort dashed along by her 
side. The rapid motion, with the cool evening 
breezes, was very exhilarating. They rode for some 
distance in this manner, scarcely interchanging a 
word. Then they turned from the river and began 
to ascend towards a high ridge. Their speed was 
necessarily lessened; and the lady expressed her 


132 


AT swords’ points. 


delight in the ride and in the exquisite scenery by 
which they were surrounded. She wished that some 
artist would make a painting of the valley and a por- 
tion of the river, which, if done in a masterly manner, 
she was certain would rank with the finest landscape 
paintings. 

She looked at her companion and saw that he was 
as much pleased and as deeply interested as herself. 
He rode exceedingly well. ‘ His appearance on this 
occasion was unusually noble, and she confessed to 
herself that he was really handsome. He exhibited 
none of the careless ease that she had noticed on the 
evening of their first acquaintance. His whole mind 
appeared to be intent either upon the beauties before 
them or upon some hidden subject of contemplation. 

Finally she said, “You seem to be particularly 
absorbed, Mr. Grafton. No doubt you would have 
been better pleased to take this ride alone, with no 
such frivolous person as myself to interrupt your 
musings.” 

“ Pardon me, if I have been rude. I certainly did 
not intend it. And in gazing upon the rare beauties 
of this evening my fair companion has not suffered 
by comparison with the other causes that have 
aroused my admiration. At such a time, and in such 
a presence, words cannot always express the senti- 
ments of the mind. I should not be censured for 
having for a moment lost myself in admiration of the 
sublime, the picturesque, and, last but not least, the 
beautiful.” 

“That’s me, is it? I am not so modest as to be 
blind to the compliment; but, Mr. Grafton, I am 


AN ADVENTURE. I33 

utterly astonished. That you could descend to flat' 
tery never entered my head.” 

“We are allowed sometimes to speak the truth; 
and I know of no occasion upon which it would be 
more justifiable than upon the present one. I will, 
however, desist, and will also refrain from further 
reveries. You enjoy your ride ? ” 

“ Very much, indeed.” 

“ There are scenes which, rarely occurring, impress 
me so deeply that I am entirely unable to express 
my feelings. I have seen one in the Mediterranean, 
one from a high point on the coast of Ireland, where 
I looked down upon the Atlantic when a mighty 
storm was approaching, and this view, which, while 
it does not equal either of the others in grandeur, is 
so exquisite and picturesque.” 

“ It is charming. It makes me feel exuberantly 
happy, while, on the contrary, it causes you to have 
an exceedingly solemn appearance.” 

“I suppose I have looked somewhat sober; but 
there is enough of the old Puritan stock in me to 
allow me to be quite happy and to look very solemn 
at the same time.” 

“ You a Puritan ! Well, that is good.” 

“ I did not say that I was a Puritan,” answered 
Grafton, smiling. “ I am descended from a Puritan, 
however.” 

“ What were you contemplating so soberly, then ? ” 

“ I was thinking of how little account one man is 
to any but himself or to those immediately around 
him, and of how soon a hundred, or a thousand, or 
even a hundred thousand, pass away, leaving no mark 
12 


134 


AT swords' points. 


or trace behind. We may be greatly gifted, we may 
be ambitious and attain a high position in the temple 
of fame, we may believe that the world cannot get on 
well without us, and yet, in a few days after we are 
gone, our places are filled by others. We are not 
even missed, except by a few attached friends. 

On the other hand, this valley has blossomed and 
been covered with verdure year after year and century 
after century, — one of the fairest of the creations of 
God. The Anglo-Saxons possess it now; before 
them, the red men; and prior to them, a nation 
advanced in civilization of which we have little, if 
any, knowledge. But through all these changes in 
the races of men and in the ownership of the valley 
it has remained the same — a beautiful gem amid the 
works of nature.” 

“ But do you not believe,” inquired Miss Rivers, 
that the spirits of the departed have found far more 
beautiful abodes than this in the glorious land of the 
hereafter ? ” 

“ It must be so,” said Grafton. *‘Else the toils and 
struggles of this life would apparently be of no avail.” 

“ But do you think,” inquired Miss Rivers, with an 
earnestness unusual to her, that, if we live here as 
we ought, we are certain of a better life ? ” 

“ W hy do you ask that question ? ” 

“ Because, though I believe in the ‘ true faith,’ and 
have with others ^ the longing after immortality,’ 
when I consider this life, and all that we must neces- 
sarily suffer, thoughts arise, the tendency of which I 
cannot control, and at times doubts and questions 
that I cannot answer almost overpower me.” 


AN ADVENTURE. 


135 


cannot comprehend the infinite,” replied 
Grafton. “ Neither can we understand the purposes 
of the Highest. I have been troubled, like you, with 
many doubts and questions; but, after years of trouble 
and of dark speculations, I have become satisfied that I 
am in the hands of a merciful and omnipotent Creator, 
and that if I do my duty and have faith in him all will 
be well. At times I doubted whether his loving- 
kindness was shown toward us, particularly in this 
life, and I was inclined to a belief in Pantheism. But 
my troubles in that quarter are now over. My rea- 
sons for arriving at such a conclusion are many, — too 
many to repeat here ; and I do not know that they 
would make an impression upon or lend the least 
assistance to another. They are, however, fully sat- 
isfactory to me. And now I think I am happier that 
such doubts arose, because in thoroughly investi- 
gating them I am only the more confirmed in my 
faith, and casual objections do not disturb me.” 

“Your statements, Mr. Grafton,” said Miss Rivers, 
“ give me great satisfaction. If a person like yourself 
has weighed such matters carefully, poor mortals like 
me can well abide your decision.” 

Grafton looked at Miss Rivers as if he thought she 
was returning to her usual bantering tone. He saw 
that she was not, and he felt that his fair companion 
was of a very different order from what he had sup- 
posed her to be when he met her at Mrs. Mortimer’s, 
or even when he had dined with Mr. Rivers. 

“You must think for yourself,” he said, “and not 
found your faith upon the reasons of others, unless 
those reasons are entirely satisfactory to yourself. 


136 


AT swords’ points. 


My settled faith has proved a great comfort to me ; 
and I earnestly wish that you may become equally 
well satisfied. It will be to you a haven of rest. I 
am not what would generally be termed very relig- 
ious, neither do I believe in or care for the dogmas 
that many insist on as necessary to a sound faith ; but 
I do believe in God the Father of all, and in Christ the 
Redeemer. To obey and fulfil the Divine will is the 
great object of my life ; and I strive each day to follow 
the blessed precepts given us in the Book of books. 
As for the rest, I do not trouble myself” 

“You have aided me greatly,” said Miss Rivers, 
naively, “ and yet you have disappointed me exceed- 
ingly.” 

“ I regret to hear you say that.” 

“You need not; for the disappointment I feel is 
entirely favorable to yourself Who could have ex- 
pected to find in a lawyer a poet and a theologian 
also ? Something of a paradox.” 

“ I am not a poet. I do not write poetry nor prose 
either.” 

“ No, but you think it and speak it.” 

“ I cannot even give expression to my feelings. 
At one time I aspired to comprehend Eternity, 
Immortality, Infinity. But the idea of a Being to 
whom time was nothing, who millions of years ago 
had existed just as long as He has to-day, to whose 
glorious reign there was never any commencement 
and will be no close, who has existed without crea- 
tion and without beginning, was too much for me to 
grasp. 

“ Immortality I could understand better. That the 


AN ADVENTURE. 


137 


Spirit may exist after parting with this grosser sub- 
stance, after leaving all that can be affected by illness 
or suffering or death, and may remain in being for 
ever and ever, is not so difficult to contemplate, 

“ Infinity, like Eternity, however, I found utterly 
beyond my powers. To go up, to go down, to go 
east, west, north, or south, and to travel forever and 
forever through innumerable constellations of Suns 
and planets, was beyond the comprehension of 
myself, and, as I believe, of all men. The great- 
ness of the Almighty was over me; I could not 
fathom it. ‘ If I take the wings of the morning, and 
dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there 
shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold 
me.’ I therefore resolved not to set myself up as a 
critic in matters beyond me, but to confine myself to 
things within my comprehension. My ideas of Pan- 
theism vanished. I beheld a great and perfect Spirit 
at the head of the universe. I was satisfied that 
mind must govern, from the arrangement of this solar 
system and all the other systems of which we have 
any knowledge, that move in such complete harmony 
and unison, down to the tiniest flower, created without 
an imperfection, that grows upon our planet. Could 
any blind laws of nature without the power of mind 
or spirit ever have accomplished this ? 

“ Whatever others may believe, to me it seems im- 
possible. Convinced that a Spirit rules all, the point 
is easily reached that our spirits created in the image 
of the Omnipotent One should likewise live forever. 
And from that the space is very brief to the belief 
that I have already stated.” 


138 AT swords’ points. 

“ ‘ Plato, thou reasonest well,’ ” said Miss Rivers, 
smiling. “I shall hereafter call you by that name. 

I have a name for each of my gentleman friends. 
But, without joking, I am pleased to know that you 
have thought so deeply, and have arrived, after all 
your doubts, at sensible conclusions.” 

After a pause of a few moments, resuming her 
usual tone, she went on : “You are an odd lawyer, it 
seems to me. Really, I had supposed that all you 
cared for was to beat somebody, and to make a good 
pile of money.” 

“ You do our profession great injustice,” said Graf- 
ton. 

“ Well, maybe I dp. I shall probably change my 
opinion after a better acquaintance with you.” 

“ Thank you. But do you see that dark cloud 
yonder ? the road is level, and I will ride a race with 
you to that farm-house.” 

“ Agreed,” said Miss Rivers ; and again they went 
forward at a gallop. There was no danger of rain, 
however. Miss Rivers won the race, and halted near 
a large barn at the rohdside for her companion to 
come up. He was at her side in a moment, and they 
rode forward together for a short distance, when their 
attention was attracted by cries of pain from a neigh- 
boring field. A gate was open, and, at Miss Rivers' 
suggestion, they dashed through it. Then they saw, 
in a little ravine before them, a man with a heavy and 
loaded whip flogging a small and sickly-looking boy. 

“ Stop that ! ” shouted Grafton. 

“ Mind your own business,” replied the man. 

Grafton glanced at Miss Rivers, and asked if she 
would excuse him for a few seconds. 


AN ADVENTURE. I39 

“ Willingly,” was the reply ; but teach him good, 
manners before you leave him.” 

Grafton sprang from his horse and rushed upon the 
teamster. 

The lamb is changed into the lion,” said she, to 
herself, as she gazed admiringly at her friend. “ But 
that rascal is heavier than he is, and will strike him 
with the butt of his whip. Oh, I wish I could help, 
too ! ” 

Her surmises were partially correct ; but what little 
Grafton lacked in strength was fully made up to him 
in skill and agility. He caught the end of the whip 
upon his left arm, while with his right he struck his 
antagonist a powerful blow in the face, which laid 
him upon the green-sward. 

“ There ! is that satisfactory ? ” said Grafton. “ Will 
you let that boy alone, and fight men of your size, 
after this ? ” 

** I ’ll show you, by G ! ” said the man, drawing 

a butcher-knife from under his frock. “ Come on, 
now, will you ? ” 

“ Send that boy to me, or else I will — ” 

“ If he stirs a step I will kill him,” replied the 
other. 

“ Not while I am here,” said Grafton, coolly. But 
lay down that knife.” 

“ Not by a d — d sight. Come on.” 

The man, when he drew the knife, had thrown away 
his whip. Grafton picked it up, and approached him. 
The whip was limber, but heavy, and, after making a 
few feints, he struck the man a severe blow on the 
wrist of the hand in which he held the knife. The 


140 


AT swords’ points. 


knife dropped, and as he stooped to pick it up he re- 
ceived another blow full and fair upon the side of the 
head, which completely placed him hors dii combat. 

Grafton picked up the knife, drove the point some 
distance into a tree, then bent it and broke the blade 
off near the handle. He called the boy to him. The 
astonishment of that juvenile at seeing, in such a con- 
dition, his tyrant and tormentor, whom he had sup- 
posed to be invincible, was almost ludicrous to be- 
hold. 

“ Is that man your father ? ” inquired Grafton. 

“ No, sir,” replied the boy. 

How did he get hold of you, then ? ” 

“ Oh, I was bound out to him from the poor-house. 
They said that he would take first-rate care of me.” 

^ “ Well, did he ? ” 

“ No, sir ; he would n’t Ij^lf feed me, and then 
licked' me because I could not do as much as a 
man.” 

“ Come with me. You shan’t stay here.” 

Come back here,” cried the teamster, now raising 
himself up, “or I ’ll cut your heart out.” 

The boy was not alarmed, so long as he stood by 
Grafton’s side. Since the defeat, his employer had 
evidently sunk very low in his opinion ; but Grafton 
called out, — 

“ Say another word, and I will have you sent to the 
penitentiary for abusing this boy.” 

“And I ’ll have you sent there for meddling with 
what ain’t none of your business, and for striking 
down a peaceable citizen of the United States, and 
for kidnapping that boy, too. I will now, you see.” 


AN ADVENTURE. 


I4I 

All right. My name is Harold Grafton. I am a 
lawyer in Glen Lynn.” 

A lawyer, eh ? ” said the man, in evident disgust. 
“You fellows don’t often get into a scrape unless 
you know what you are about. Let me have the boy 
back, and we ’ll call it square.” 

“ The boy is going with me to Glen Lynn. You 
may come after him if you like. It will save the 
trouble of sending for you,” said Grafton. 

“ I will be even with you yet, if you are a lawyer,” 
said the man, as he groped along towards the house. 

“ Threatened men never die,” replied Grafton, laugh- 
ing. “ But, Miss Rivers, I must now really beg par- 
' don for leaving you to engage in a quarrel with that 
fellow. I was sorry for this boy.” 

“You are perfectly excusable, I assure you. The 
boy has my sympathy as much as yours. We will 
find something for him to do in town. But how are 
we to get him there ? ” 

“ Here comes a wagon just in time. I will secure 
a seat for him.” 

Grafton directed that the boy should be delivered 
at his office, promising to pay well for his ride. Then 
he mounted and rode rapidly along by the side of 
Miss Rivers until they reached Glen Lynn. They 
parted, each with a very different opinion of the other 
from what they had previously entertained. 


142 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


THE ELECTION. 


HE time had now arrived when the contest be- 



J- tween Gordon and Grafton for the position of 
district-attoriley was to be decided. 

All the delegates from the towns to the County 
Convention had been selected. Gordon was positive, 
from assurances given him from what he deemed 
reliable sources, that he would have at least a majority 
of ten upon the first ballot. 

Grafton, on the other hand, was informed by his 
friends that he would receive eighteen majority of all 
votes upon the first or informal ballot, that the con- 
vention would not occupy many minutes, and that 
Gordon’s case would soon be decided against him. 

Both candidates knew, however, that a great deal 
might be accomplished on the day of the convention 
in effecting the organization and in “ seeing the dele- 
gates again.” 

The day had finally arrived. Numerous delegates 
were button-holed before twelve o’clock. Those who 
were considered doubtful or shaky received great 
attention, and were led to believe that the welfare if 
not of the nation at least of the county depended 
upon their patriotic and statesmanlike efforts that 
day. One was promised also the position of deputy- 
sheriff, another that of post-master, and a third that 
of school commissioner. 

The hour then arrived, as well as the day. Each 


THE ELECTION. 


143 


candidate was anxious to get the organization into 
the hands of his friends. I say each candidate ; but 
Grafton had very little to do with the arrangement. 
His friends, however, worked zealously in his behalf. 

The chairman of the county committee, whose duty 
it was to call the convention to order and to nomi- 
nate a temporary chairman, was well known as a 
Gordon man. Grafton’s friends were all consequently 
instructed to yell “ No ” when he should propose his 
man, and to cry “Ay” with equal vigor as soon as 
the name of one of their friends had been proposed 
as an amendment and the motion put. 

So it was done. Grafton’s friends claimed that 
they were the most numerous, but that Gordon’s were 
the noisiest. 

But the chairman declared that the person whom 
he had nominated was duly chosen. The Grafton 
men called for a count. The Gordon men hastily 
shouted, “ No.” This gave Gordon’s friends control 
of the temporary organization of the convention, with 
the appointment of all the important committees. 
Order was soon restored. 

Then it was announced that several contesting dele- 
gations were present, and it was moved and carried 
that the convention adjourn for dinner and to give 
time to the committee on contested seats to examine 
credentials and papers. 

Canvassing proceeded busily on the outside while 
the committee was in session. A majority of its mem- 
bers of course were Gordon’s friends. Four towns 
had sent up two delegates each. 

In reference to the first case taken up, it was alleged 


144 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


that Grafton’s men had interfered with the caucus by 
oversloughing the meeting with Democrats, who had 
no right to interfere there, with persons who were 
not of age, and with men working on the railroad, 
who either had never been naturalized or who did 
not live in that township and precinct. 

The Grafton men replied to this, first, that they had 
done nothing of the kind; secondly, that it was just 
the game that the Gordon men had attempted to play 
upon them, and because they could not succeed at it 
had gone off and held a caucus of their own. This 
they substantiated by such good proof that, although 
the committee as a body was opposed to their claims, 
they felt compelled to report in favor of the Grafton 
delegation. 

They made it up, however, by admitting the Gor- 
don delegates from the next two towns. 

When they reached the last town the contest dif- 
fered materially from that in the three others. It was 
rather a novel one. Phelim O’Shaunnessy, a Gordon 
man, charged that Tim McCarthy, a Grafton man, 
had obtained his position in the delegation by bribery 
and corruption. He said that twenty-five dollars had 
been given to Tim tp “ work ” for Grafton; that there- 
with Tim had obtained the attendance of twenty-five 
extra voters at one dollar per head at the caucus, 
whereby the said Tim had obtained not only his 
election, but also that of all his friends on that ticket. 

When Phelim was questioned by one of Grafton’s 
friends on the committee, he admitted that he had 
received ten dollars from the Gordon men for the 
same purpose that Tim had received his money from 


THE ELECTION. 


145 


Grafton’s. But Phelim had ascertained that his ten 
dollars would not go as far as Tim’s twenty -five. 
Hence his complaint. 

The committee decided to dismiss this charge, and 
to report in favor of the delegation of which Tim 
was a member. 

Therefore they reported in favor of two Grafton 
delegations and of two Gordon delegations, which, 
upon the face of it, seemed fair ; and yet Grafton was 
entitled to at least three out of four of them, and by 
this decision was deprived of five votes which belonged 
to him. 

At half-past three the convention again met. The 
report of the committee on credentials was accepted 
and adopted, and, after eloquent speeches had been 
made in favor of both candidates, they proceeded to 
an informal ballot for district-attorney. As there 
were but two candidates, it was supposed that this 
ballot must decide it. All were excited and expectant. 
The chair, after the temporary organization had been 
declared permanent, appointed two tellers, and, ac- 
cording to custom, chose one from each side ; but he 
selected the shrewdest Gordon man that he could see, 
and the dullest of the Grafton men. 

The members of the convention were greatly sur- 
prised, when the votes were counted, to find that 
about sixty had been cast for Judge Rowe, a third 
candidate. No one, apparently, had heard that he 
wanted the office. It was immediately pronounced 
to be a Gordon dodge. Grafton led the ticket ; but 
some of his men had been seduced into the Rowe 
movement, being personal friends of the Judge’s, 
13 K 


146 AT swords’ points. 

while those of the Gordon men who voted for the 
Judge understood the game, and did it to prolong the 
contest and to ascertain how much strength they 
could draw away from Grafton. 

A second and formal ballot was then demanded. 
Many of Gordon’s friends crowded around the tellers, 
but the Grafton men were awake, and pressed up in 
equal numbers. At this time Grafton gained ten 
votes from the followers of Rowe. 

Upon a third vote Grafton only lacked five of the 
number requisite for a nomination. Upon the fourth 
he was at first announced as nominated; but when 
the votes were counted it was found that three in ex- 
cess of the whole number of delegates had been cast. 
The ballot was therefore declared null and void. This 
trick was played by the Gordon men to postpone the 
result. 

A motion was now made to take a recess of half 
an hour, in order that the delegates might have an 
opportunity to consult together. The Grafton men 
opposed it ; but the chair declared the motion carried, 
and the recess was had. 

When they reassembled, and. the fifth ballot was 
taken, the name of Judge Rowe was dropped alto- 
gether. Grafton was really nominated, but again 
there was an excess of votes. His friends became 
angry and excited. They kept a strict watch on 
every delegate, and declared their intention of “ fix- 
ing ” the first man whom they found throwing more 
than one vote. 

The sixth and final ballot was then taken. No ex- 
cessive votes were cast; and Grafton was nominated 


THE ELECTION. 


147 


by a majority of twelve. On motion of one of Gor- 
don’s friends, the nomination was declared to be unani- 
mous. Grafton was called outside for a speech. Gor- 
don walked off with two or three friends, muttering 
words of disappointment and bitterness. 

From this time on Gordon’s jealousy of his more 
accomplished rival continued to increase, until it 
grew into determined hatred. Whenever an occasion 
presented for disparaging or sneering at the abilities 
of Grafton, he always improved it. Neither did he 
hesitate, except in those cases where he was aware 
that if discovery should follow he would receive the 
severe reprimand of the court, to do what he could 
to deprive Grafton of some good retainers and to 
injure him professionally. 

Grafton regretted the condition of affairs. He dis- 
liked to be on bad terms with any one, especially with 
a member of the bar ; but this was not a quarrel of 
his own seeking, and he believed that in Gordon’s 
present mood no attempt at a reconciliation would be 
successful. He felt that he had never injured his op- 
ponent ; that in their contest for office he had used no 
unfair means, and that if, in their zeal for him, his 
friends had resorted to some measures of which he did 
not approve, Gordon and his supporters had gone 
so much farther in the same direction that they had 
but little right to make any complaint. 

Grafton’s friends knew that he was very slow to join 
in a quarrel ; but they predicted that if he were once 
thoroughly aroused by the unprofessional conduct of 
Gordon, the latter had better beware. 

Grafton did not, however, allow these matters to 


148 


AT swords’ points. 


trouble him. He pressed on in his profession, and 
devoted nearly all his time to it. He often rode up 
by the river-side, as well as in other directions, and 
occasionally found it convenient to stop at the resi- 
dence of Mr. Rivers ; and his musings upon the study 
and practice of law were not unfrequently interrupted 
by day-dreams of a sprightly, fascinating, and dark- 
eyed lady. 

In the practice of law he was guided by a healthful 
ambition. He had two objects in view, — One, to at- 
tain a high position as an able and successful lawyer ; 
the other, to prove that a person could follow that 
profession in a manner becoming a gentleman and a 
Christian. He believed that in so doing the effect 
would be to improve and ennoble him, instead of 
tending to lower his moral standard, and to render 
him obtuse to the more exalted sentiments which 
should ever govern an honest and honorable man. 

He had thus far, to a considerable degree, attained 
the result for which he was striving; and as his char- 
acter became generally known to courts and juries, the 
natural effect was produced. His integrity, when 
making statements in court, was never questioned, 
and his acceptance of a retainer in a cause came to be 
regarded by many as prima facie evidence that justice 
was upon the side of his client. 

He had done well during his few years of practice 
before coming to Glen Lynn. Here he had a broader 
field in which to exercise his talents, and with the 
duties of his new office he found it necessary to keep 
all the powers of his mind in full activity. 


AGAINST TRIALS BY JURY. 


149 


CHAPTER XIX. 

AGAINST TRIALS BY JURY. 

S OME weeks after Grafton’s visit to Chicago, 
Bishop Maynard came to Glen Lynn. He was 
gratified to learn that his son was making rapid pro- 
gress in his studies, and that he bade fair to satisfy 
the high expectations which were entertained of him. 

The Bishop had been deeply interested in the sub- 
j*ect of his first conversation with Grafton. He now 
inquired if he could spare another evening for the dis- 
cussion of the same theme. 

The lawyer readily assented, and after supper 
Bishop Maynard called at Grafton’s rooms and there 
found him with his friend, Mr. Norris, an attorney 
from Chicago. 

“Harold,” the Bishop began, “while I must say 
that I think there was a little sophistry in some of 
your arguments at Chicago, yet, upon reflection, I 
have become far more reconciled to George’s follow- 
ing your profession.” 

“ I do not admit,” said Grafton, “ that I used any 
sophistry; for I was particularly cautious in dis- 
cussing the topics with you ; but I am glad to have 
relieved your mind as to your son’s studies.” 

“We will let that rest, then, for the present. I 
desire to ask a few questions. First, Are you not of 
the opinion that there are many defects in our sys- 
tem of j‘urisprudeace which might and should be 
remedied ? ” 


150 AT swords’ points. 

“ I think there are,” replied Grafton. ” In some 
particulars I would be a radical innovator. Yet I be- 
lieve that in America we are steadily advancing to a 
higher and better system.” 

” In what particulars would you first introduce 
changes ? ” 

” I am opposed, with all deference to our great 
authorities in law, to the jury system, especially in 
civil causes.” 

“I am surprised,” said the Bishop. “I imagined 
that that system was looked upon by all, especially 
by the members of your profession, as the great aegis 
of English and American liberties.” 

” It has been so regarded until a late day, for very 
good reasons, both in England and in this country. 
But in my opinion those reasons should now have 
little weight, especially in America.” 

“ How so ? ” 

In England the judges received immense salaries; 
they were appointed and removed at the pleasure of 
their sovereign, and were often subject to contumely 
and - degradation if their decisions, particularly in 
political cases, did not coincide with the wishes of 
the king and the ministry. The jury system was a 
protection to the liberties of the people against the 
despotism of the sovereign ; but even with that pro- 
tection courtly judges and courtly sheriffs often gained 
their ends by packing or overawing juries.” 

” But in this glorious country,” interrupted Norris, 
“where the bird of freedom flaps his wings from the 
Atlantic to the Pacific, the people themselves are 
sovereign, and the necessity does not exist Is that 
your theory, Grafton ? ” 


AGAINST TRIALS BY JURY. I5I 

** Something like it,” replied the other, with a smile. 

“And if you will allow me again to interrupt, for I 
am interested in this matter and believe that juries 
are a great humbug, I would call attention to the fact 
that cases of a certain class involving the most im- 
portant issues are never tried by a jury, never have 
been, and yet we hear no complaints upon the subject.” 

“ To what causes do you refer ? ” inquired the 
Bishop. 

“Our chancery or equity cases,” said Norris. “The 
evidence is all reduced to writing by a master. The 
suit is then tried before a single Judge. If he errs, 
through a misconstruction of law, or prejudice, or 
ignorance, the entire matter can go up and be tried 
de 7tovo before the appellate court upon precisely the 
same evidence. It might be better in some instances 
for the court to see the witnesses. The system, how- 
ever, is a good one; and I would like to see some- 
thing similar to it adopted, in all civil cases at least.” 

.“ Many cases at common law,” said Grafton, “ are 
short, and might be tried before the court without 
the aid of a master. In either case you can have a 
full hearing upon every point that you desire before 
the appellate court. But how can you carry the 
entire conduct of a jury before a court of appeals? 
In many States, I admit, there are stenographers who 
take down all the testimony verbatim et literatim^ and 
that may be reviewed. In other States even this is 
not done. Sometimes a court will set aside the ver- 
dict of a jury as being contrary to law and the weight 
of evidence, or for alleged misconduct on the part of 
the jury.” 


152 


AT swords’ points. 


**And does not that effect the wished-for result, 
justice?” asked Bishop Maynard. 

‘‘ By no means,” replied Norris. “ I can give you 
some instances. But those cases that Grafton has 
mentioned are exceptional, after all. I understand 
the general rule to be that where a question of fact is 
submitted to a jury, no matter how absurd their find- 
ing may be, if they have had any evidence at all to 
•act upon, their verdict will not be disturbed.” 

“ Is n’t that putting it pretty strong ? ” asked Grafton. 

That’s what it amounts to, as I can show you by 
instances in my own experience. Some judges, I am 
glad to say, are adopting the better rule, which I 
trust will become universal.” 

“But suppose the Judge is biased: cannot he do 
more harm without a jury than with one ? ” inquired 
the Bishop. 

“ I think not,” said Grafton. “ If a cause is tried 
before a Judge alone, and the evidence carefully re- 
duced to writing, there will be an ample remedy on 
appeal. Every material act that he does can be re- 
viewed. Oh the other hand, a Judge can incline a 
jury to adopt his views by a hundred different means 
to which exception cannot be taken, and which can- 
not be placed on paper, such as an expression of the 
face, a smile, a nod, an interrogatory to a witness, an 
inflection of the voice, emphasis on certain parts of 
the charge, and so on.” 

“ Yes,” said Norris, “that is true. But even where 
the Judge is perfectly fair, there are many irregularities 
in the jury-room that are never brought to light, or 
at least not until it is too late to correct them. In 


AGAINST TRIALS BY JURY. 153 

one case of a criminal nature which came to my 
knowledge,, for twenty-four hours after retiring the 
jury stood six for conviction and six for acquittal. 
They requested the Judge to discharge them. He 
refused. They became impatient. One of their 
number proposed that they should toss up a penny 
and decide, — heads for conviction, tails for acquittal. 
It was done. A verdict of guilty was soon after 
rendered, and the prisoner was sent to the peniten- 
tiary. In another instance, a cause involving thousands 
of dollars was decided by the result of a game of 
draw-poker.” 

“ And this,” said the Bishop, “ is the corner-stone 
of liberty ! ” 

“ Those are extreme cases,” said Grafton. “ The 
jurors would have been heavily fined if the facts had 
reached the ear of the court ; and I believe that few 
of our countrymen would be guilty of such gross 
misconduct. Ignorance of the rules of applying law 
to certain cases, inattention to the charge of the court, 
uneducated human nature, predilections and preju- 
dices which they swear on examination that they do 
not entertain, and perhaps honestly think they do 
not, and unchangeable obstinacy, work as great hard- 
ships. I will say nothing of the cumbersome ma- 
chinery and expense of the system, which latter, 
especially in this Western country, is enormous. 

“ But let us suppose a case. You, Bishop Maynard, 
and I have an ejectment suit about a tract of land 
worth several thousand dollars. It is all that we pos- 
sess in the world. If decided in your favor, it will 
make you comfortable for life, but leave me a pauper ; 


154 


AT swords’ points. 


and vice versa. The title to the property, we will 
assume, is in a sad state. A deed has been lost. 
The contents of that must be proven. Many years 
have elapsed since its execution, and the testimony 
is very conflicting. Then a will plays an important 
part in the case, and, although admitted to probate 
in due form, is liable to various constructions. Next 
it is to be decided whether John* Howe, let us say, or 
George Howe, died first. The answer will govern 
an entire line of descent. It may come down to a 
very fine point. They were either killed in battle or 
shipwrecked on the same day. If John died first, it 
helps you ; if George, it aids me. 

“As our laws exist, this is a jury case. It requires 
several days to receive the evidence. Twelve men 
are first put into the jury-box. They know little or 
nothing of law, and, what is worse, most of them, 
though possessing good minds, are unaccustomed to 
the peculiar methods of weighing facts and deciding 
questions involved in such a case. Some have been 
on juries before, are proud of the possession of a few 
law phrases, and believe that they know more than 
many lawyers. Two or three are sharp, wide awake, 
and attentive. The remainder are dull, sleepy, and 
morose, because they have been taken away from 
their business. Occasionally one, through stubborn- 
ness or force of mind, controls the rest of the jury. 
They cannot weigh evidence as a Judge can who has 
made it a life business ; and generally a brazen-faced 
rogue, who is unembarrassed and accustomed to be- 
ing on the witness-stand, and who goes straight ahead 
with his story, will receive from them more attention 


AGAINST TRIALS BY JURY. I55 

than the bashful but honest witness, who means to 
tell, notwithstanding the badgering of counsel, ex- 
actly what occurred.” 

“ That is true,” interposed Norris. “ Out our way, 
if a man has a good honest case he always prefers to 
have the court try it. If he considers it at all shaky, 
he at once calls for a jury.” 

“ There is one other point to which I wish to refer,” 
said Grafton, “ before proceeding with our case. Of 
all the established rules that guide us in conducting 
a course, none are founded on a firmer and broader 
basis of reason, justice, and common sense than those 
providing for the admission and rejection of evidence. 
But to those who are not conversant by thorough 
study with the subject, the rulings of a Judge often 
appear partial and arbitrary, and jurors will retain 
their own opinion about it and allow it to influence 
them in finding their verdict, notwithstanding the 
rulings and charges of the court. 

*‘Now let us turn to our jury. One juryman pays 
strict attention to the arguments of your counsel, be- 
cause at a previous time that counsel managed for 
him an important suit successfully. Another leans to 
the opposite side, because the counsel is a shrewd 
political leader and remembers his friends in the party 
to which that juryman belongs, or has made a glow- 
ing stump speech, has called and dined with him and 
shown him a good deal of attention in various ways. 
That juror is proud of the great lawyer’s friendship, 
and, now that an opportunity offers, is inclined to 
stand by him. 

“One will like you because you are a clergyman; 


156 AT swords’ points. 

another will be prejudiced against me because I am 
a lawyer. Besides those mentioned, there are a hun- 
dred things which will bias a jury that would not 
influence the Judge. 

“After the evidence is in, the lawyers on opposing 
sides open their batteries ; and if a juror, after listen- 
ing to evidence in a case for four days, has any dis- 
tinct conception of what is right in the matter, he 
generally loses it when counsel have finished. How 
different the arguments addressed to the jury gen- 
erally are from those addressed to the court ! 

“ Our case is tried. One or the other gets a ver- 
dict. It may be right, or it may be wrong. As a 
rule, whichever it may be, it will be difficult to get it 
set aside if the case has been tried with care. 

“ How different the result might be, and how much 
better for the ends of justice, if tried before an impar- 
tial and clear-headed Judge ! ” 

“ But are all Judges impartial ? ” asked the Bishop. 

“Not all, perhaps,” said Grafton; “but nearly all 
are. The character of our Judges stands very high. 
And even were they inclined to lean to one side from 
improper motives, their official honor and reputation 
stand in the way, as well as their dislike to being 
overruled. A juror does n’t care what is done with 
a verdict, whether it is overruled or not. It does n’t 
affect his reputation at all.” 

“To abolish the jury system,” said the Bishop, 
“ would work a great change in the business of your 
profession, would it not?” 

“ It might weed out some attorneys who rely less 
upon their knowledge of law than upon their ability 


AGAINST TRIALS BY JURY. I57 

to manipulate and humbug juries,” replied Norris. 

The remainder of the profession would do as well, 
or some of them, perhaps, even better.” 

“I confess,” said Bishop Maynard, “that my in- 
formation in reference to your profession is rapidly 
increasing. I can see far more clearly than when I 
first conversed with Mr. Grafton, how one can be at 
the same time a great and successful lawyer and a 
thorough Christian gentleman. He must not neces- 
sarily be an advocate of wrong and oppression. 

“There is still, however, one subject to which I 
have devoted not a little thought. I read of the 
wonderful success of this distinguished advocate, or 
of the power that that one possesses over juries. 
Whatever their cases (and we cannot imagine that 
they scrutinize them very carefully before accepting 
a retainer), they are hardly ever defeated. This I 
have more especially observed in criminal causes, 
where the retainer of certain counsel for the defence, 
however atrocious the crime charged may be, is re- 
garded as almost equal to a verdict of acquittal.” 

“ There is too much truth in what you say,” replied 
Grafton. “ Many advocates of high standing and of 
honorable position at the bar have nevertheless been 
dangerous men in the sections of country where they 
resided, on account of their brilliant oratory and 
fascinating power over juries. As you say, their 
retainer for the defence was almost equivalent to a 
verdict of acquittal. No matter what the facts were, 
the jury would forget all about the merits of the case 
before counsel had closed. All that was thought of was 
the poor trembling prisoner at the bar. These men 
14 


158 


AT swords’ points. 


were perfectly honest in their intentions and efforts, 
but the defence of criminals had a fascination for 
them.” 

“ While I agree with my friend Grafton,” said Mr. 
Norris, “ I will say that some of those great lawyers 
who have possessed such fascinating powers over 
juries have likewise, both in England and in America, 
been the champions of freedom, and by their cour- 
ageous defence of the rights of the persecuted and 
oppressed have added greater lustre to a profession 
of which I have the honor to be a member, though 
you may think an unworthy one.” 


CHAPTER XX. 

A PLEASANT DRIVE. 

S UMMER had ripened into the golden, glorious 
autumn, the richest and most delightful season 
of the year. 

Grafton had become a regular visitor at Mr. Rivers’s 
house. He had already taken many a pleasant horse- 
back ride with Miss Rivers. As yet he could not 
perceive that she showed any preference for himself; 
but neither had he any reason to feel discouraged. 

On an October day, two years subsequent to the 
time at which our story opens, Grafton felt little in- 
clined to severe labor; nor was his business pressing. 
It was a warm, hazy, lovely Indian-summer day. 


A PLEASANT DRIVE. 


159 


The river looked like a sheet of glass, reflecting from 
its surface the groves and forests that lined its mar- 
gin. What a fine day for a ride ! He thought, how- 
ever, that it would be far more pleasant to roll along 
in a cosy phaeton, with Miss Rivers by his side, than 
to dash off on horseback. The day was not one to 
encourage exercise, but instead gentle pleasures and 
dreamy reveries. Grafton accordingly sent a note to 
the young lady, stating his views upon the weather, 
driving, and other matters of interest. 

The lady replied, accepting the invitation. Grafton 
secured a carriage at once, and with his fair com- 
panion started up by the bank of the river. 

Not a breath of wind was perceptible. Several 
boats, their white sails hanging loosely, were lying 
idle and becalmed. Numerous row-boats made the 
only ripples that were visible on the water; and in 
the distance three large steamers, with the smoke 
ascending almost perpendicularly from their pipes, 
were seen together approaching Glen Lynn. This 
was rather an unusual occurrence. But these boats 
were bringing down the results of the rich harvests 
in the upper country. 

As they advanced, the scene presented by the clus- 
ters of trees and groves and forests which lined the 
river's banks was truly gorgeous. There were min- 
gled tints of crimson, green, purple, and golden yel- 
low. The hickory, ash, maple, and linden, with the 
variegated colors of their robes, added. to the effect 
of the picture, which was reflected from the unruffled 
waters of the beautiful river. 

The roads were in excellent condition. Even 


l6o AT swords’ points. 

through the forests they had been laid out and care- 
fully graded. As the two young people proceeded, a 
gradual change was perceptible. They had left the 
stir of the town, the hum of a busy population, the 
small farms and neat residences. Here the farms 
were immense, and great herds of cattle and droves 
of horses were frequently seen. Scarcely ever was 
more than one farm-house visible at any one time. 

Game began to grow plenteous. At first were seen 
squirrels, rabbits, and many varieties of birds ; and 
later in the day Miss Rivers was slightly alarmed at 
seeing a small black bear gazing at them intently. 

Again they passed out of woods, and entered upon 
another rich section of farming lands. Then by a 
winding road they ascended to the brow of a high 
hill. 

No trees were in the way there. Grafton turned 
his carriage around, so that they could look down 
the river. A landscape of unrivalled beauty lay be- 
neath them. It was not only picturesque, but in its 
immensity it was sublime. Wherever the forests 
stood, they beheld masses of waving orange, purple, 
and crimson. The river lay in perfect repose, look- 
ing like a mirror, and occasionally in the distance 
a tributary like the miniature of another river flowed 
on to add its waters to the larger stream. 

In the openings of the forest could be seen large 
farms, the fields still covered with verdure, snug farm- 
houses, and immense barns. The entire magnificent 
valley in which Glen Lynn was situated lay spread 
out before them. Beyond rose range upon range of 
hills, clothed like the valley in green and purple and 


A PLEASANT DRIVE. 


l6l 


gold, and still farther in the distance arose a chain of 
lofty mountains, their eternal robes of snow glisten- 
ing in the rays of the autumn sun. 

“ This is a grand old world, is it not ? ” said Grafton. 

“ It is,” replied Miss Rivers, “ but especially this 
valley, with the range of mountains beyond. There 
are few spots more beautiful than this, at least.” 

“Very few can equal it. How much finer the view 
than the one we first had, several weeks since, from 
the other side of the valley ! ” 

“ That was rare,” Miss Rivers answered. “ This is 
really imposing.” 

“ It is sad to think that we must leave this interest- 
ing spot, and especially sad that we must immediately 
turn our attention to a matter so prosaic as the busi- 
ness of procuring dinner. Are you not hungry?” 

“ My appetite is remarkably fine. But what are 
we to do for dinner ? ” 

. “ I supposed, of course, that you would bring some 
lunch along,” said Grafton, slyly. “ Have n’t you 
some in that little satchel ? ” 

“ Not a bit. I did not think of such a thing. How 
careless of me ! ” 

“By no means. These horses must be fed as well 
as ourselves. I have had my arrangements made for 
some time. I have a rich old client who lives a mile 
or two farther on from here. He and his wife will 
be delighted to see us, I can guarantee.” 

“Yes, but should we not have been there at the 
regular dinner-hour ? Our late arrival will give them 
extra trouble.” 

“ They will be glad to take it for us. We shall have 
14* L 


i 62 


AT swords’ points. 


a good dinner, — a better one, I imagine, than if we 
had reached there at the regular time. And the lady 
of the house will be greatly pleased at having a 
chance to offer excuses for not giving us a better one. 
She will say if we had only reached there at dinner- 
time she could really have given us something decent 
to eat, but that now she can only furnish us a cold 
bite; that the coffee won’t settle, that the bread is 
heavy, that the meat is tough, etc.” 

“And yet you say we shall have an excellent 
dinner ! ” 

“ Most certainly. We must praise everything that 
they set before us ; and we can do it, too, conscien- 
tiously. The old lady thinks it polite for her to 
depreciate everything she sets out. Praise well spread 
on will not hurt her feelings in the slightest.” 

“That’s her plan, is it?” 

“Well, yes, something of that sort. I do not say 
that she does it expressly to receive praise ; but I am 
sure that compliments on her providing and cooking 
will be very palatable to her. Would you like to 
hear the probable bill of fare?” 

“Yes. It will put my appetite in still better con- 
dition by the time we reach the house of your friend,” 
said Miss Rivers. 

“ Here you have it then : nice bread, hot and light, 
tea and coffee with pure cream, fresh milk and eggs, 
broiled ham, a porter-house steak for each of us, hot 
cakes, honey, tongue, and other cold meats, dried 
beef shrivelled in cream, pies, puddings, cheese, cake, 
preserves, and fruit, with some fine old cider if we 
desire it.” 


A PLEASANT DRIVE. 


163 


Now, upon your honor, Mr. Grafton, you do not 
mean to say that you are not exaggerating when you 
tell me we shall have such a dinner? ” 

“ Most assuredly I do.” 

** Well, then, I wish you had not said anything to 
me about it.” 

“ Why so ? ” 

“You have made me hungrier than ever, and I 
can’t wait much longer.” 

“ I sympathize with you,” said Grafton. “ But 
there ’s the house in sight, and the old gentleman is 
at home ; I see him in the yard, in his shirt-sleeves.” 

“It does look as if they could enjoy themselves 
here. I suppose you have visited them upon some 
previous occasion.” 

“ I have been here three or four times before this, 
and have always received a cordial welcome. There 
is splendid fishing about two miles up the river. I 
stayed here several days when I first came to Glen 
Lynn.’^ 

When they drove into the yard, “ the old gentle- 
man,” as he was termed by Grafton, saw them, and 
came at once to the carriage. 

“ Halloo, Grafton,” said he, before they could get 
out, “ is that you ? Glad to see you. Come right in. 
That ’s right, to come and see an old fellow once in 
awhile. Make yourself at home. But who is this ?” 
he added, in a lower tone. “ It is the first time I ever 
saw you around with a lady. Been gittin’ married, 
have you ? That ’s right. Come right in, both of 
you. I ’ll have yer bosses cleaned off and fed. Nice 
day. Goin’ to stay all night, ain’t you ? Can’t get 
dinner and be home until long after dark.” 


164 


AT swords’ points. 


Miss Rivers blushed. Grafton, as soon as he could 
get a word in edgewise, informed his friend that he 
was not married, that his companion was Miss Flor- 
ence Rivers, niece of the merchant of that name, and 
that they would like some dinner exceedingly well, 
but must positively return to town that evening. 

“The lady is jist as welcome as if she was your 
wife,” the old gentleman resumed. “ I know her 
uncle well. I ain’t given to flattery, but from her 
looks I did hope she was Mrs. Grafton ; for I set a 
heap of store by you. Well, if she ain’t, perhaps she 
will be. Then it ’ll be all the same,” he continued, 
in spite of the thickening blushes on the fair face of 
the lady. “ Won’t it ? If you go home to-night, 
though, you will have a late drive.” 


“ There is a fine moon,” said Grafton. 
“ That ’s so. I did n’t think of that.” 


CHAPTER XXI. 


THE RETURN. 



HE mistress of the house expressed as much 


-L ' delight as her husband at seeing Miss Rivers 
and Mr. Grafton. Her excuses, apologies, and pro- 
testations about the dinner which she was soon to 
give them fully equalled the anticipations of the 
young lady after hearing her companion’s narration. 

But, when dinner was ready, in richness, delicacy. 


THE RETURN. 165 

and variety it exceeded the most sanguine hopes of 
two very hungry people. 

Soon after dinner was over, Grafton remarked that, 
while he did not wish to leave so soon, their long 
drive must be an apology to their hostess and host. 

“Yes, you’ve a right long drive. I don’t want to 
hurry you, but you* ought to start. Sorry you can’t 
stay longer. Your horses will be here in a few min- 
utes. Hope to see you both here again soon, and 
together, too,’’ said the old farmer, with a twinkle in 
his blue eye. 

The horses, having been well fed and groomed, 
were apparently as fresh as when they had left Glen 
Lynn in the morning. 

As they drove out of the farmer’s yard the sun was 
just descending behind the snow-clad mountains, and 
the entire valley seemed to be sinking into repose. 
As they drove on at a brisk trot, Grafton said : 

“ It is remarkable how many and how varied are 
the desires and pleasures of the human family.’’ 

“ May I inquire what has occurred to call forth 
that very sage reflection at this precise moment?’’ 

“ I was thinking how much more comfortable, I 
might almost say happier, we are since having that 
excellent dinner, and yet how a short time previous 
we were enjoying intensely the magnificent prospect 
from the brow of that hill.’’ 

“You think, then,’’ said Miss Rivers, “however 
poetically you and I may be inclined, that ambrosia 
and nectar would hardly prove a sufficient diet.’’ 

“Not, at least,’’ Grafton replied, “after the ride 
that we have taken on an October day with two 
horses that are as difficult to hold as these.’’ 


AT swords’ points. 


I think,” said Miss Rivers, “ that if I were going 
o turn philosopher I should get up a new sect of my 
own.” 

“ How would it be distinguished from the other 
schools ?” 

“ Oh, mine would be something after the Eclectic 
order. I should select the good from all the others.” 

Especially from the Stoics, I suppose.” 

“ Oh, no. I never admired them. I should have 
a very fair share of the Epicurean in my philosophy, 
with very little of the Stoic.” 

“You would, I suppose, have it so carefully ar- 
ranged that you could be at perfect liberty to appre- 
ciate the beautiful and the sublime, and also to enjoy 
such excellent cookery as we found out here to-day.” 

“ That ’s it precisely, with the addition of books of 
interest, music, paintings, and a few true friends.” 

“ They would all be embraced in the plan ? ” 

“ Certainly.” 

“You would then have a very agreeable system. 
May I become one of your disciples ? ” 

“ Of course, as soon as I have founded the school.” 

“ When will that be ? ” asked Grafton. 

“ I can’t say. I have no intention of so doing at 
present. When I have, I shall give you due notice.” 

The twilight deepened into darkness, and for an 
hour Grafton drove on very cautiously. Then a fine 
breeze sprang up, as the moon in its full splendor 
arose over the eastern hills. Its light glanced upon 
the rippled waters of the river, giving it for a long dis- 
tance the appearance of a lake of burnished silver ; 
and the landscape, which in the daytime had been 


THE RETURN. 167 

made more than ordinarily picturesque by the hazy 
atmosphere, now looked like a scene of enchantment. 

Florence Rivers was enthusiastic in her expressions 
of delight. She had never enjoyed any ride so much, 
and, though she did not say that to her companion, 
her manner was such that he had little difficulty in 
understanding it. 

Under the influence of such encouragement he grew 
eloquent over the beauties of the night, and gradually 
touched upon more delicate subjects. His fine and 
noble nature was powerfully attracted by the winning 
ways, generous impulses, and regal bearing of Miss 
Rivers. She had never exhibited her haughty temper 
before him, and latterly in his presence she had drop- 
ped her bantering tone about other people; seem- 
ing, indeed, like a very different person from the one 
who discussed Banks and Bromley and Hastings with 
her uncle and aunt. 

This fact had given Grafton hope ; but she had 
never been so gracious as upon the present occasion. 
He was aware that Miss Rivers knew that what he did 
he did earnestly, and that there was little danger of a 
change in him, and that she also knew that she might 
rely on him implicitly. He believed that she would 
never attempt to trifle with his affections. 

He was not yet desperately in love, but was rapidly 
approaching the fatal verge. Had anything occurred 
at this- time to produce a misunderstanding between 
them, he would probably in after-life have looked back 
to this period with fond regret and saddened longings; 
but it would not have materially affected the tenor of 
his life. As we have said, however, he was nearing 


i68 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


the time when the decision of that fair girl by his side 
would haye the power either to make his life bright 
with joy, or to render it dark with despair. 

The evening air began to grow chilly. Grafton 
carefully wrapped his companion in shawls and furs. 
Upon coming out of the woodland into the open coun- 
try again, the moon shone full upon the face and in 
the dark lustrous eyes of Miss Rivers. Her expres- 
sion, Grafton thought, was not only beautiful, but al- 
most angelic. He had never before deemed her so 
lovely ; and a strange thrill of pleasure penetrated his 
heart. 

It was wonderful, he thought, that one whom he 
had known for so short a period could thus hold the 
chain of his destiny in her hand. So it was, though, 
and he had to confess it. It is needless to observe 
that the idea was not painful to him. 

At the same time, if Florence Rivers had attempted 
to analyze her own feelings towards the gentleman at 
her side, it would have been a difficult task. She 
knew that he was handsome and noble and talented 
and brave. She believed in him. His society was 
very agreeable. She liked to be in his presence. She 
already felt that in some manner incomprehensible to 
herself he was exerting an excellent influence over 
her. 

He never volunteered her advice ; he never found 
fault with her ; he was not at all given to lecturing ; 
but she found that she began to care very much for 
his good opinion, and upon a matter of right and 
wrong she knew very well what that opinion would 
be. His influence tended to strengthen and exalt all 
that was best in her own nature. 


THE RETURN. 


169 


Did she care anything more for him than an es- 
teemed friend; or was there a probability that he 
would be the one — the particular one ? 

These were questions that she had never asked her- 
self Had there been any danger of losing him, she 
could have answered them very readily. For the 
present, she was satisfied to move along the pleasant 
pathways that were spread before her. 

She was to a certain extent recalled from her reve- 
ries by the tender tones and impassioned manner in 
which Grafton conversed with her this evening. It 
was really enchanting. Did he mean anything by it? 
He always meant something. Had she really fasci- 
nated this man among men ? 

If so, it would truly be gratifying to her pride, yes, 
and per — haps to her affections also. She must ad- 
mit that she never could do better. 

So they rode on, Grafton tender and eloquent, Miss 
Rivers listening to him with heartfelt pleasure, and 
also giving, for the first time, her attention to the feel- 
ings, whatever they might be, that were springing up 
between them. She felt that on her own account, if 
for no other reason, she must consider the subject 
carefully. 

His happiness for a lifetime, as well as her own, 
might depend upon her decision. 

She gave the matter at that time no further con- 
sideration, and for the next hour was, without being 
sarcastic, witty and brilliant. They arrived late in 
the evening at Mr. Rivers’s residence. Nothing defi- 
nite had been said on either side; but Grafton felt 
that he had reason to be a very happy man. 

15 


170 


AT swords’ points. 


Miss Rivers found her aunt awaiting her. 

“ What are you sitting up so late for, Aunt Madge?” 

And what are you doing out so late, I ’d like to 
know ? ” 

” I was in good company, as you are well aware.” 
should think so. You must have enjoyed each 
other’s society amazingly.” 

“ We did. We could not get back earlier, any- 
how.” 

He has not proposed, has he ? ” 

Of course not. What a question to ask ! ” 

“Yes,” said the aunt, “ I imagine it is a question to 
be asked.” 

“ Indeed ! But you have not yet informed me why 
you are up so late.” 

“ We have had several callers.” 

“Any to see me ? ” 

“Yes; two.” 

“ Who were they ? ” 

“ Mr. Bromley and Mr. Gordon.” 

“ I am glad, then, that I was not here.” 

“ They did not feel that way, I can assure you.” 

“ I did not ask them to come, did I ? ” 

“ I suppose not. They looked crestfallen when I 
told them you were out ; but it added greatly to the 
poignancy of their grief when I informed them that 
Mr. Grafton was your escort.” 

“ I am very glad to hear it.” 


MIND-READING. 


171 


CHAPTER XXII. 

MIND-READING. 

W ELL, Flo, did you have a fine time yesterday?" 

inquired Mr. Rivers at the breakfast-table upon 
the following morning. 

“ Well, reasonably," replied that young lady, de- 
murely. 

“ Oh, that is the way it ’s going, eh ? I anticipated 
a thorough dissection of my friend’s character." 
“You will not get it," said Miss Rivers. 

“ So I perceive. I am glad there is one exception 
to the rule. But what a demand there was for you 
yesterday ! — Grafton in the morning, and Bromley 
and Gordon in the evening." 

“ I am glad that Mr. Grafton came first.’* 

“ I have no doubt of that. You will not, however, 
escape the others so readily, especially Bromley. ■ He 
certainly had a very weighty matter to communi- 
cate." 

“A proposal, I suppose. I wish I could avoid 
him ; but I can’t. The sooner it is over the better it 
will be." 

“Yes, that is the best way,” said her uncle. “ He 
will be around again this evening; and then you 
can get the matter off your mind." 

“ And pray how do you know he will call again 
this evening ? " 

“ Oh, I could tell by the expression of his counte- 


nance. 


172 


AT swords’ points. 


In other words, you are becoming a mind-reader. 
I shall have to look out, then.” 

“ It need not trouble you at all,” said Mr. Rivers ; 
” for I have always been able to tell what you were 
thinking about.” 

“ Indeed ! your pretensions are unbounded.” 

I will prove what I say to you. Your thoughts 
had, therefore, better be well guarded.” 

“ I can hide them from you readily enough.” 

“ No, you can’t. You are thinking of Mr. Grafton 
at this moment. You need not deny it. How do you 
' like him ? Now, tell me.” 

” I like him very much, of course.” 

“That is not very definite, however. I will ask 
you another question. How do you think he likes 
you ? ” 

“ Oh, he likes me immensely,” replied the young 
lady. 

“ Has he told you so yet ? ” 

“No; but I am something of a mind-reader, as 
well as yourself” 

“ It ’s all right. But pay attention, now : I will 
have no flirting in that quarter, — no trifling, I should 
perhaps say.” 

“ There will not be any,” his niece answered, 
smiling. “ The fact is, I am somewhat afraid of Mr. 
Grafton.” 

“ I am pleased to know that you are not flirting 
with him, and also that we are not to have a criticism 
upon him. As for your fear, I ’ll warrant that your 
health will not be impaired by it.” 

“You never did sympathize with me in any of my 


MIND-READING. 


173 


afflictions,” said Miss Rivers. But as to Mr. Graf- 
ton, am I to understand that if he proposes I need 
not send him for your consent ? ” 

“ That ’s it. You have it already, and you can give 
him an answer at or ':e.” 

Don’t be in too much of a hurry. I shall want 
a little time for my own deliberations. Neither would 
you have me jump at an offer, I imagine ? ” 

“ Of course not. ** Take your own time. But what 
Grafton says you may know that he means. When 
the time comes, if you don’t like him well enough, 
say so. I ’ll find no fault with you ; though I don’t 
believe you can do better. But don’t lead him on for 
the mere sake of refusing him.” 

“ Why, Mr. Rivers, Flo would n’t do such a thing 
as that ! ” exclaimed his wife. “ You ought to know 
her better by this time.” 

“ Would n’t she ? ” 

Certainly not.” 

“ She is n’t like other young ladies, then.” 

” That ’s a slander. I did not serve you so.” 

“ No ; because you had treated so many others that 
way that when I came around you thought you would 
try the other plan.” 

“You are false as ever,” said Mrs. Rivers, laughing. 

“Aunt Madge wants me to marry Mr. Banks,” said 
Florence. 

“ That ’s a fib,” rejoined her aunt. “ I ’ll never again 
attempt to vindicate you from a charge of flirtation, 
since that is the sort of thanks I receive.” 

“You advised me to consider his proposition care- 
fully before I rejected him, and you said that he was 
15* 


AT swords’ points. 


i;4 

a fine man and well off in the world. Now, did n’t 
you ? ” 

“ I believe I did say something of that sort.” 

” Oh, Madge, I am shocked that you should hold 
out worldly inducements to Flo ! ” 

“ I only suggested them incidentally. Mr. Banks 
cannot compare with Mr. Grafton.” 

“You are right this time, anyway,” replied her 
husband. 

‘‘And suppose your friend, the Reverend Mr. 
Bromley, should propose to-night, as suggested. 
What am I to do then ? ” Miss Rivers inquired of 
her uncle. 

‘‘ I leave that to your own sound judgment. If 
you love him, accept him. I must say, though, that 
I hardly think you were predestined to be the wife 
of a parson.” 

‘‘ Love him ! love that Bromley ! I would not 
marry him if I did. A minister’s wife ! I would not 
accept the position, unless I desired by so doing to 
expiate some great offence.” 

“ Why, Flo,” inquired her aunt, ‘‘ what has set you 
so much against the clergyman ? ” 

“ I am not opposed to the clergyman. Mr. Brom- 
ley, though a little peculiar, is a polished gentleman, 
and an honest, hard-working pastor. But a congre- 
gation think that the minister’s wife is especially 
within their domain. I ought rather to say, the 
ladies of the congregation. In the first place, he 
must not marry at all without their consent; they 
must see the destined bride and approve of her. 
After marriage, every act that she does, every word 


MIND-READING. 


175 


that she speaks, every dress, bonnet, ribbon, or flower 
that she wears, the appearance of her friends, the 
furniture of the parsonage, the hours for meals, with 
the method of preparing them, must all undergo their 
inspection and criticism, especially when there are 
three or four single ladies in the congregation, each 
of whom had previously expected an invitation to be 
Mrs. Parson.” 

“ Well, Flo, I declare you seem to have given this 
subject mature deliberation,” said Mr. Rivers. 

” Flo is quite right,” said her aunt,.sententiously. 

“ I agree with you fully, my dear. But can’t I 
compliment her for her thoughtfulness without hav- 
ing you interrupt me ? ” 

“ It does take you old people,” said Miss Rivers, 
rising from the table, “an intolerably long time' to 
eat. Please excuse me. I was away all day yester- 
day, and have some letters to write.” 

“ Now, Madge,” said Mr. Rivers, after his niece had 
left the room, “tell me just how you think Flo and 
our friend Grafton are getting on.” 

“ Well enough for the present. His intentions are 
very evident. Her line of conduct will be more diffi- 
cult to foresee.” 

“ If she did not converse upon the matter so lightly 
and freely, I should have greater hopes that she would 
like him very much. There is only a slight difference 
between the manner in which she speaks of him and 
that in which she speaks of her other admirers. I 
fear he is destined to meet the same fate as theirs.” 

“ I cannot agree with you on that point,” replied 
Mrs. Rivers. “ Flo does not speak of Mr. Grafton as 


AT swords’ points. 


176 

she does of the rest ; and her attempts to refer to him 
in her usual bantering manner are by no means suc- 
cessful. And she would not refer to him at all, or 
speak of him as she does, if she did not fear that by 
so unwonted a course our suspicions would be more 
definitely aroused.” 

“ I hope your views will prove to be correct.” 

‘‘Can you doubt it?” inquired the lady, smiling. 

“ Of course not, my dear. When did I ever doubt 
your infallibility?” 

“ You had better not.” 

“ I shall not. But, joking aside, I am deeply inter- 
ested in this matter of Flo and Grafton. He is a very 
fine fellow. And so you think he is in dead earnest, 
do you ?” 

' “ I do.” 

“Then it all remains with Flo. She has lots of 
caprices. I would not urge her into a marriage with 
any one. She must do just as she chooses. On some 
accounts I wish she was married to the right man. 
Grafton would be just the one, if she loved him. 
She is receiving a great deal of admiration, and she 
likes it; there is no question about that. I do not 
believe she can well help flirting a little ; and even a 
little is dangerous to these poor fellows around town.” 

“You know that I agree with you,” said Mrs. 
Rivers. “ You say, however, that Flo must do as she 
chooses. Suppose she was in danger of marrying a 
man who would disgrace us, or who would render her 
unhappy for life ? ” 

“ That would be quite another matter. I ’d break 
up such an affair as that, and very suddenly, too.” 


MIND-READING. 


177 


“ And break her heart into the bargain ? ” 

“ No danger of that. She is too sensible.” 

“ How is Mr. Grafton getting on with his practice 
now ? ” inquired Mrs. Rivers. 

“Very finely. Not only is it steadily increasing, 
but it seems also as if the best clients in the county 
were being sifted out and sent to him, while the re- 
mainder go elsewhere. He never does an unfair act 
to gain a client or to win a cause ; and he has many 
excellent clients, and is very successful with his 
causes.” 

“ And how does Mr. Gordon succeed ? ” 

“ He is doing well also. He is shrewd, industrious, 
and well read. He cannot fail of success. But he 
pursues an entirely different course from Grafton’s. 
It is getting late, however. I will tell you something 
about both of them at another time. I must go to the 
store now.” 

M 


178 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE PLOTTERS AND LOVERS. 

H astings and Gordon had fully resolved to 
work all the annoyance and injury possible to 
Grafton. They were aware that with one so shrewd 
and self-possessed it would be difficult to accomplish 
any great harm. But they hoped that the genius of 
the Wicked One might throw some favorable oppor- 
tunity in their way. Not that they admitted the as- 
sistance of that power, but they had an abiding belief 
that some matters not under their control would work 
in their behalf. 

Gordon was prompted by a feeling of revenge; 
Hastings, by innate maliciousness, besides something 
of a kindly sentiment towards the man who, as he had 
persuaded himself, had been badly treated, and by a 
desire to obtain a yet greater influence over him. 

The two friends set about their enterprise very cau- 
tiously. Hastings kept in the background as far as 
practicable. Gordon endeavored to establish a more 
friendly intercourse between himself and Grafton. 
This he managed with adroitness. Although he did 
not change his manner towards his rival, on several 
occasions, when Grafton was not present, he spoke in 
high terms of him. This was always done in the 
presence of those who he knew would be certain to 
repeat what he said in just the right quarter. 

After a little time had elapsed, in order that that 
might produce an effect, he took care to remark be- 


THE PLOTTERS. 


179 


fore the same parties that he had been too hasty in 
becoming offended with Grafton after the nomination 
for district-attorney, and that now he regretted it; 
that Grafton had done nothing unbecoming a member 
of the bar and a gentleman ; and that he would be 
happy to be on good terms with him. 

Grafton was too wary to be readily caught. It was 
natural, however, that upon hearing all of these kind 
expressions in his favor his feelings towards his for- 
mer opponent should become mollified. 

On one occasion Grafton was suddenly called from 
home to try a cause in a distant circuit. He was de- 
tained for some time. Upon his return he learned 
that his clerk had omitted to serve in due season 
some very important papers on Gordon. Unless 
service was now admitted as of the former date, the 
suit could not be tried at the regular term, and he 
would be censured by his client for the omission. 

Grafton did not expect any professional favors from 
Gordon, but, as he was disadvantageous^ situated in 
reference to the case, he resolved to try what could 
be done. He sent his clerk with the papers to Mr. 
Gordon, with instructions to explain the circumstances 
and to request admission of service as of the former 
date. Gordon readily conceded all that v/as desired, 
and Grafton thought it would be churlish to question 
his motives further. 

Gordon, by the advice of Hastings, called more 
frequently at the Rivers mansion. Yet he did not 
go often enough to excite any comment. He had 
the movements of Grafton watched, so that he might 
govern his own actions accordingly. He was very 


l8o AT swords’ points. 

careful not to call upon those evenings when he 
thought he would be likely to meet the man that he 
hated. 

He could make himself very agreeable when he 
desired, and ere long he was regarded with favor by 
the whole family. Miss Rivers lost all her feelings 
of dislike for him, and thoroughly enjoyed his visits 
when she knew that Grafton could not or would not 
be there instead. 

Had Gordon paid her any especial attention, her 
old dislike for him would have resumed its sway. 
He understood the situation better than she did. For 
the present, therefore, he was satisfied with the credit 
accorded him, that he was pleasing and brilliant. 

No one except Hastings had suspected his attach- 
ment to Mrs. Estelroy, or the Rivers family might 
have been more on their guard. Grafton began to 
feel too secure in the affections of Miss Rivers to 
cherish any sentiments of jealousy; and all who 
were interested attributed Gordon’s visits solely to , 
the fact that he found it a very agreeable way in 
which to spend a few of his evenings. 

Hastings then left Glen Lynn, ostensibly for the 
East. He went no farther, however, than Grafton’s 
former home. It would seem that he had business 
there, and he made only a few guarded inquiries 
about Grafton, apparently from mere curiosity. Every- 
thing that he heard about his enemy was in his favor. 
He at first could obtain no clue to anything that 
might be wrested into evil. 

Hastings, as usual, made many friends, and received 
many invitations to dine. 


THE PLOTTERS. 


i8i 


One day he found that for which he had been seek- 
ing, and he prepared at once to return to Glen Lynn, 
there to consult with Gordon and carry out their 
plans. He announced to his many friends that his 
business was satisfactorily accomplished, but that he 
had been so highly pleased with his visit that he 
would return in a few months and see them again. 

When they met, Gordon was surprised at his ex- 
ceeding good humor. Hastings remarked that, as 
Grafton seemed to take every opportunity for placing 
himself in the way of each of them, it was fair to fight 
him with any weapons. He had opposed Gordon, 
when seeking the position of district-attorney, and 
was thwarting him in his practice upon every possible 
occasion. 

He thought that- now they had his fate in their 
hands. He was in possession of facts which, if used 
as he alone knew how to use them, would, if they did 
not actually drive Grafton from Glen Lynn, at least 
humble him thoroughly, break up any engagement, 
if such there were, between him and Miss Rivers, and 
deprive him of the power of being a dangerous rival in 
business or in love to either Gordon or Hastings. 

Gordon wished to know what his friend had dis- 
covered. Hastings replied that he would inform him 
very soon ; that in fact he must tell him as soon as 
he had matured the plan, for upon Gordon must de- 
volve entirely the execution of their plot. Gordon 
inquired the reason of this, and Hastings replied that 
it was on account of the inexplicable dislike enter- 
tained by Miss Rivers for himself 

Mr. Rivers, during this time, entirely unsuspicious 

i6 


i 82 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


of the plots that were being devised, congratulated 
himself upon the progress of affairs. Nothing would 
have pleased him better than the union of his niece 
and Harold Grafton ; and quietly and carefully he did 
all that he could to aid the consummation of his 
wishes. He was gratified also at seeing the improve- 
ment which was taking place in Miss Florence. While 
she retained all her former cheerfulness and vivacity, 
she was growing more gentle and more refined. She 
knew how she could appear the most fascinating to 
Grafton, and, without any thought of deception, Love, 
the great master, was guiding her into the proper 
pathways to the preferment of her hopes. She was 
very happy. She knew that Grafton loved her with a 
love of which any woman might well be proud, and 
that in a little time they would be betrothed. 

An unkind word for any one never fell now from 
her lips. She had been somewhat annoyed by the 
persistency of Mr. Banks ; but gently, though de- 
cidedly, she had given him to understand that his suit 
was hopeless ; and soon she was gratified to learn that 
she had inflicted no fatal wound, for in a few months 
he led to the altar a wealthy though not very youthful 
maiden. 

Grafton was likewise happy. No obstacles ap- 
peared to stand in his way. He revelled in a glorious 
creation of his own, composed of hope, imagination, 
and love. Yet at times it seemed almost impossible 
that so perfect a being as he considered Florence 
Rivers to be, could or should care for him. 

He met her frequently, but never without losing 
something of his self-control. He could not see her 


THE LOVERS. 


183 


in her carriage, or hear the rustle of her dress as she 
entered the parlor, without being thrilled with a feel- 
ing of pleasure mingled with fear. 

What cause had he, he would inquire of himself, for 
the latter sensation ? He certainly had received all 
reasonable encouragement. It seemed beyond his 
most sanguine hopes, however, that the time would 
shortly arrive when he could call this peerless crea- 
ture his own, when she would be his forever, when 
she would be at his side at evening and at morn in 
his own home, and when all her hopes and ambition 
and aspirations would be merged in his. 

Many were the evenings they had spent cosily 
together, many the rambles by the river-side, and 
many the pleasant moonlight drives they had enjoyed. 
The time had certainly arrived for definite action. The 
question must be decided ; and if favorably, then for- 
ever adieu to his fears and forebodings. He would, 
upon the first suitable occasion, declare his passion, 
and learn whether his lot was to be an earthly para- 
dise, or whether he was doomed to a fate little better 
than that of the spirits in the Hades of the ancients. 


1 84 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


THE QUESTION. 


T about the same time an incident occurred 



xjL which rendered it necessary for Grafton to de- 
cide upon his future course. 

Some years before he had rendered a very im- 
portant service to a young and distinguished man, 
wlio had since become one of the first statesmen of 
the country. The gentleman acknowledged the obli- 
gation in fitting terms, and assured Grafton that the 
time would arrive when he would repay it in a proper 
manner. 

Grafton had not forgotten the occurrence, but im- 
agined that success and unusual fame had obliterated 
the matter from the mind of his friend. Not so, how- 
ever. That gentleman was one of the few who, after 
attaining a high position, never forget those who in 
their earlier days have aided and befriended them. 
Neither did he think that he had the right to award 
offices and honors solely to those who were his pri- 
vate friends. He had perceived that Grafton was no 
common man, and that he could not give him an 
ordinary position. At the same time, he was con- 
vinced that wherever his young friend might be 
placed he would render to his country services fully 
equivalent to the emoluments received, and that in 
procuring an appointment for Grafton he would be 
entitled to credit for securing to the public service 
one who would do honor to the position. 


THE QUESTION. 


185 

The statesman believed that he had now found a 
position for which Grafton was well suited, and one 
that would be agreeable to him, and which Vould 
also require him to visit one or more European 
capitals. 

He wrote Grafton a very cordial letter, tendering 
him the position. The offer was certainly a very 
high compliment to the young lawyer, and one that 
might open to him a brilliant future ; yet it might not 
afford him permanent occupation. His profession 
might in time lead the way to fame as high and en- 
during as that which would follow the faithful per- 
formance of the duties of the place now so flatteringly 
offered him. He resolved therefore to consider very 
carefully the subject of the acceptance or rejection of 
his friend’s offer. 

Upon this question he felt that the action of Flor- 
ence Rivers would have a very important bearing. 
If her decision should prove favorable, he could find 
an earthly paradise as well in Glen Lynn as in Paris 
or Vienna. On the contrary, if her reply should be 
adverse to his high hopes, if he were doomed to dis- 
appointment, he imagined that it would make little 
difference to him whether he were in the wilds of 
America or in some of the gay capitals of Europe. 

Yet he felt that if he were rejected any spot would 
be preferable to Glen Lynn. Thus his reply to the 
senator depended entirely upon the decision of his 
fascinating but sometimes wayward friend. 

Evening was approaching, and he resolved to know 
his fate before another day passed by. At the usual 
hour for calling he was seated in the cozy parlor of 


l86 AT swords’ points. 

Mr. Rivers, but, as may be conceived, in a far more 
perturbed state of mind than was usual when he 
visited that enchanted ground. 

It would seem that Miss Rivers was expecting the 
visit, as she entered the parlor in a very short time, 
dressed, as usual, richly, but with good taste, and in a 
manner that set forth to the best advantage her beau- 
tiful figure. She coyly occupied a seat on the sofa at as 
great a distance as possible from Grafton. He looked 
at her a moment, laughed, and, as if accepting the 
challenge, took a seat beside her. They chatted gayly 
for a few moments upon the general news about town. 

Then Grafton said that he had received a very un- 
expected letter that day, one that might lead him to 
change the entire course of his life. The young lady 
looked up into his face with an expression of inquiry 
and surprise, with which perhaps also was mingled a 
little of anxiety. Grafton, seeing the interest she felt, 
took the letter from his pocket and handed it to her. 
He watched with almost breathless anxiety her beau- 
tiful face, to discern, if possible, the effect produced. 
What he saw augured well for his cause. Her hand 
trembled slightly. At first a deep blush overspread 
her rosy cheek, to give place, as she proceeded with 
her perusal of the letter, to a hue of paleness. 

She finishedj and handed it back to him with an 
assumed air of unconcern. 

“You will accept the proposition of course?” she 
inquired, in a voice that slightly faltered. 

“ That depends entirely upon circumstances.” 

“ Indeed ! ” said Miss Rivers. “ I should have 
thought you would not allow any circumstances to 


THE QUESTION. iS/ 

interfere with so favorable an opportunity for gaining 
distinction.” 

Do you not think that I have sufficient opportu- 
nities for gaining distinction here in Glen Lynn?” 
asked Grafton. 

“You can gain that which will be as enduring, as 
honorable, and also as profitable here in the West as 
elsewhere. There certainly are no positions more 
deserving to be the goals of a true and noble am- 
bition than those which your pwn profession offers. 
Yet the prospect of being employed by those high in 
power and of visiting foreign lands, thus accredited, 
must prove a strong temptation to lead you from the 
safer but more arduous courses of the law.” 

“ I agree with you fully,” Grafton replied, “ as to 
nearly all that you have said ; but, as I have already 
remarked, I must be governed in my decision some- 
what by circumstances, and by circumstances which 
others and not myself can control.” 

“If I am not regarded as too inquisitive, I should 
like to be informed what some of those circumstances 
are,” said Miss Rivers. 

“Are you at a loss to conceive what one of them 
may be?” inquired Grafton, looking into her dark 
and beautiful eyes with an expression that could not 
be misunderstood. 

For the first time his arm stole around her waist, 
and he drew the face which he thought so lovely 
very near his own. She attempted, after the manner 
of maidens, to draw away, but not with sufficient 
earnestness to lead Grafton to believe that he had 
given serious offence. The lawyer then pleaded his 


i88 


AT swords’ points. 


cause with all the ability and eloquence of which he 
was possessed. We need scarcely repeat his words 
here. Poor indeed is the imagination of the reader 
if he cannot very nearly tell their purport. His plea 
sounded exceedingly well to Florence Rivers, and yet 
we might detect many imperfections were we to see 
it written out in full. 

Grafton pleaded for an immediate decision. He 
regarded it as a case in chancery, with the chances 
so much in his favor that his cause was not likely to 
be delayed. 

But the lady reserved her decision.” She said 
that' the matter had come up so unexpectedly that 
she must take a little time to think it over. It was 
very important, and she had known Mr. Grafton, after 
all, but a short time. Then her uncle must, of course, 
be consulted. 

She was not ready just yet, however, to refer Mr. 
Grafton to him. She finally promised ” to take the 
matter under advisement,” and to render a decision 
by Christmas, and said that there was no use in press- 
ing the subject farther at that time. 

Grafton would have preferred a definite answer. 
Who would not, under the circumstances? Yet he 
was so well satisfied thus far with the result, that 
upon the following morning he wrote a polite letter 
to his distinguished political friend, thanking him 
cordially for his kindness, but declining the propo- 
sition, for reasons that he believed to be excellent. 

He knew that any consultation which might take 
place between Mr. Rivers and his niece would result 
favorably for him. 


GRAFTON AND TRESHAM. 


189 


The skies looked bright, and life appeared to Graf- 
ton like a long summer’s day. Glen Lynn now pos- 
sessed far greater attractions than Paris or Vienna, 
and he believed that he would enjoy those emolu- 
ments and honors for which he was indebted solely 
to his own unaided efforts better than those conferred 
by another, however well deserved they might be. 

So, although no engagement yet existed between 
Florence Rivers and Harold Grafton, a mutual under- 
standing had at least been established, and the lover 
had pressed his suit none too soon, for the machi- 
nations of Hastings and Gordon began to throw 
shadows across the pathway of him whom they were 
intended to injure. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

GRx\FTON AND TRESHAM. 

H astings, during his last visit to the East, had 
learned that in earlier days an intimate friend- 
ship had existed between Harold Grafton and a young 
merchant named Tresham. 

It was neither so celebrated nor so romantic as 
the friendship between Damon and Pythias, or be- 
tween Jonathan and David, but it was the honest and 
hearty affection and esteem for each other of two 
young, energetic, and noble-minded men. In their 
general character and tastes they were somewhat 
alike. In other points, however, they were very dis- 


IQO AT swords’ points. 

similar: otherwfse they could not well have been 
friends. 

This attachment began while they were at school 
together, and continued with unabated ardor until 
Tresham fell in love with and married a lady who 
superseded Grafton in her husband’s affections. 
Grafton was pained when informed of Tresham’s in- 
tentions. But, after pondering the matter, he told 
his friend that he thought it best that it was so, for 
that it was naturally to be expected that in time each 
would desire to take upon himself the cares of a 
family, and that he was glad that his friend had been 
the first to break the close bonds of amity formed be- 
tween them. 

Tresham replied that there was no occasion for 
severing these bonds. 

Grafton said that there was no reason whatever 
why a warm and disinterested friendship should not 
continue to exist between them, but that it could con- 
tinue on the same intimate footing as formerly was 
impossible. 

Tresham was disposed to be slightly offended at 
Grafton’s view of the case ; but upon thinking it over 
he felt that his friend’s opinions upon the matter were 
correct, and that the sooner they settled down on the 
new basis the better it would be for each of them. 

The faults of Tresham’s intended were of course 
more perceptible to Grafton than to his friend, but, 
for the sake of friendship, he said little. 

So Tresham was married. Grafton was first grooms- 
man, and for a few years their friendship continued 
unabated. Then the former was taken very ill, and 


GRAFTON AND TRESHAM. I9I 

his physicians informed him that he had but a short 
time left to settle up his business affairs. 

His marriage had not been a happy one. In his 
choice he had been attracted by beauty and a super- 
ficial brilliancy. His wife was selfish, heartless, fond 
of admiration, neglectful of domestic affairs, but ambi- 
tious to be regarded as a leader in fashionable society. 

Tresham had a fair capital to commence business 
with, but it was all needed in his business. Towards 
his wife he was generous to a fault, allowing her more 
money than he could really afford to do. The lady 
soon began to regard her husband as penurious, and 
he to consider her unreasonable. Their first misun- 
derstanding arose over the financial question. 

Mrs. Tresham was for some time jealous of her 
husband’s best friend. Then a sudden change ap- 
peared to have taken place in her sentiments. Graf- 
ton became her favorite as well as her husband’s. 
In fact, her conduct towards him was so demonstra- 
tive that had he not always been upon his guard 
there might have been a rupture between himself and 
Tresham. Even as it was, he feared that offence 
might be given. 

Tresham, however, still deeply attached to his 
wife, did not in the least suspect her of evil, and had 
no disposition to jealousy. On the contrary, he was 
pleased to learn that Mrs. Tresham was regarding 
his friend with more favorable eyes, and in Grafton’s 
honor he had the most implicit confidence. 

He attributed the change in his wife’s conduct to 
her own better judgment, and looked upon it as a 
sign of general improvement. 


192 AT swords’ points. 

Matters remained in about this condition, except 
that the affection of the young merchant for his wife 
was gradually cooling off when he was taken ill. 

He had two children, in whom all his love now 
seemed to be centred. 

When the physicians announced his condition to 
him plainly, he was deeply affected by the intelli- 
gence. He sent at once for Harold Grafton. He 
said to him that he did not fear death, and that on 
his own account he had little objection to leaving the 
world ; but how could he part with his children ? 
They had already begun to look to him for advice, 
guidance, and the furnishing of all their childish 
pleasures. He frankly admitted to Grafton, who felt 
that this was a delicate matter, that he did not wish 
to leave them to the sole guidance of their mother. 
He must have the old will destroyed and a new one 
drawn. 

Grafton knew that this might involve him in very 
unpleasant relations, and insisted that it should be 
done in the presence of one of the doctors and of a 
clergyman who was there at the time. 

He then drew the new will. Tresham insisted that 
Grafton should be sole executor of his estate and 
guardian of his children. 

The young lawyer hesitated, as well he might, before 
accepting two such important trusts ; and his reluctance 
was increased '^by his desire to spare the feelings of 
Mrs. Tresham. But to his objections the merchant 
replied that in case Grafton did not accept the trust 
he. would select another person, who was personally 
disagreeable to his wife, and who would have no scru- 


GRAFTON AND TRESHAM. I93 

pies of delicacy in the matter. So far as his wife’s 
feelings were concerned, he said, he had not the 
slightest desire to injure them. On the contrary, he 
wished to consult them as far as practicable. But the 
present was no time to stand upon punctilio. Mrs. 
Tresham, in the first place, was not a fit person to 
have entire charge of the children, and, secondly, his 
business affairs were so involved that he should be com- 
pelled to place them in keeping of the best business 
man he could find, and that was his reason for saying 
that, if Grafton declined the trust, it should be given 
to a man who would be distasteful to his wife. 

Not that he had been losing money, he continued ; 
for his business had prospered. But it was one begun 
by him, and had required all his capital. If managed 
carefully and closed out properly, it would return to 
the estate more than one hundred cents on the dollar; 
while if the matter were managed carelessly and any 
forced sales made, it might not yield more than thirty 
or forty cents on the dollar. 

Grafton was desirous of doing all that lay in his 
power for his dying friend ; but he clearly saw that, 
on many accounts, a close relationship in business 
affairs with Mrs. Tresham would be far from pleasant. 

He suggested to Tresham that a merchant accus- 
tomed to trade would make a far better executor than 
himself. But his friend replied that while he might 
do as well in disposing of the goods, he would know 
nothing of the law, which was equally important ; and 
he conjured Grafton, for the sake of their old friend- 
ship, to raise no further difficulties, but to accept the 
trust, and to promise especially to give ample care 
17 N 


194 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


and attention to his little ones, who would so greatly 
miss their natural protector. 

Grafton finally promised and proceeded with the 
will, which directed the closing of his business in a 
discreet and judicious manner, and the investment of 
the proceeds, one-half the income therefrom to be paid 
his wife so long as she carried out Grafton’s directions 
in reference to the children, and the other half to be 
devoted to the support and education of the children. 
The entire principal, at the mother’s death, was to be 
equally divided between the children. 

After the death of his friend, Grafton endeavored 
honorably and conscientiously to perform the duties 
laid upon him. For many months, greatly to his sat- 
isfaction, Mrs. Tresham conducted herself in the most 
exemplary manner. He was frequently thrown into 
her society, and could not but admit to himself 
that she appeared much better and was far more fas- 
cinating than when his friend had led her to the altar. 
Her face had lost none of its early beauty, her habili- 
ments of mourning became her well, and her subdued 
manner threw a charm over all. 

Grafton was in no danger from her fascinations ; 
nevertheless, as time passed on, his name was not 
unfrequently coupled with hers, not in any improper 
way, but with an innuendo that the beautiful widow 
would soon be consoled in the change of her name 
from Tresham to Grafton. 

Such an arrangement would have pleased her ex- 
ceedingly. It was no fault of hers that, as she sup- 
posed, Grafton could not muster up sufficient resolu- 
tion to make known his feelings. He certainly did 


GRAFTON AND TRESHAM. 


195 


not lack for encouragement; and Mrs. Tresham had 
not by any means resigned her hopes of securing him, 
when she was grieved to hear of his removal to Glen 
Lynn. 

At this time the business of the estate had all been 
satisfactorily adjusted, and, though the distance was 
great, he could maintain a general oversight and con- 
trol of the children. 

Mrs. Tresham’s character had thus far remained 
above suspicion and comment. Yet she had not 
mounted it on such a lofty eminence as would 
make the slanderer hesitate long before attacking it. 
Her manners had of late begun to assume more of 
their former frivolity ; and she exhibited all of her old 
fondness for adfhiration. Grafton was away, and she 
did not have his good advice and influence to guide 
her. She had sufficient income with which to gratify 
most of her desires, especially her love of display ; and 
though, as we have said, she had thus far escaped 
malicious comment, she presented a mark that many 
would be too glad to strike at, and the first whispers 
of slander would be taken up by a numerous class 
eager to catch at, to enlarge, and to scatter them 
broadcast. 

Hastings had not learned all that we have repeated 
here ; but he had become cognizant of a sufficient 
number of facts to lead him to believe that he would 
be able to work upon the suspicions and jealousy 
of Florence Rivers, if nothing worse. He believed 
that a story made up partly of truth and' partly of 
fiction was harder to detect and more likely to pro- 
duce an effect than one made up entirely of either. 


196 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


A DISCOVERY. 


OWARDS the dusk of an autumn day, Gordon, 



- 1 . thinking that he would feel better for a long 
walk, took a stroll towards the river, returning 
through the fields near the Estelroy place. 

A lawn, enclosed with an English hedge and 
intersected by numerous pathways and gravel walks, 
lay between the river and the house. The hedge was . 
well-grown, and its foliage was quite thick. It served 
as a screen from the prying eyes of curiosity; and the 
lower part of the lawn, by reason of its privacy, was a 
favorite resort of Mrs. Estelroy and her children. It 
was Gordon’s intention to pass by the southern side 
of the hedge, as being his nearest way to town. Al- 
though he had no intention of calling at the house 
at that time, his passion doubtless led him to hover 
around the precincts of its shrine. 

As he approached the hedge he heard the rustle of 
a muslin dress upon the other side. He paused a 
moment, and was about to pass on, when he was 
startled by the low pleading tones of a man’s voice, 
evidently addressing Mrs. Estelroy. Gordon could 
not understand the words ; and, while the tones of the 
voice were familiar, he could not say positively to 
whom it belonged. 

Mrs. Estelroy, however, spoke in terms which, al- 
though low, were distinct, and filled with determina- 
tion and anger. 


A DISCOVERY. 


197 


‘'By what right do you thus intrude on my pri- 
vacy ? Why do you enter a place where none think 
of coming except by special invitation ? Leave the 
grounds at once, or I will call my servants and order 
them to throw you over the hedge.” 

” Pray listen to me but a* moment,” Gordon now 
heard distinctly uttered, in accents which he had little 
difficulty in recognizing as those of Hastings. 

Gordon was excited and astonished. He had not 
had the slightest idea that any acquaintance existed 
between these two persons — one, the lady upon whom 
he had centred his affections, the other, a man whom 
he greatly admired and whom he regarded as one of 
his most disinterested friends. Could he have so 
formidable a rival to contend with ? The idea sent 
a chill to his heart that was almost deathlike. He 
stood like a statue, hardly realizing that he was play- 
ing the part of an eavesdropper. 

Mrs. Estelroy’s reply was as clear and distinct as 
her previous one ; 

” I will not listen to you now under any considera- 
tion. The most that I can do will be to receive you 
at a proper time and under different circumstances, 
and then only that I may attain a particular object. 
Meanwhile, I warn you not to annoy me in this man- 
ner again.” 

“But, Camelia, is not former friendship — nay, an 
earlier love — some excuse for my rash conduct? If 
I have inadvertently committed an error, cannot you 
pardon me ? ” said Hastings, passionately. 

” Do not call me by that name again. Neither 
have you a right to refer to the past. If I esteemed 
•17* 


198 


AT swords’ points. 


you once, — and esteem is a sufficiently strong ex- 
pression, — I despise you now. Yes, I loathe you, 
as a villain and a coward. Away, poltroon ! I have 
changed my mind. I will not see you again under 
any circumstances.” 

“ Perhaps you will nol prove to be the mistress of 
your own actions,” replied Hastings, in a very differ- 
ent tone from that which he had hitherto used. “ I 
will show you that I have greater control over your 
destiny than you imagine. In me you will recognize 
your master, my fair and proud one. You might as 
well resign yourself to fate now as at any other 
time.” 

“ This to me ? ” 

Yes, to you, my beautiful empress. I hold the 
winning cards. I intend to be the proprietor of this 
place, if not as your husband, then in some other 
capacity. As you have ordained that this is to be 
our last interview, I propose to tell you something, 
whether you will or whether you will not. You 
know that I have ever loved you ardently — ” 

“You think I am unprotected; but you are mis- 
taken, Mr. Percival Hastings. Leave me immediately; 
and if you disturb me again, I will cause my servants 
to treat you in such* a manner that you will be> a 
laughing-stock, and your name a by-word throughout 
this community.” 

“ And what will you do, my fair one, should I de- 
cline to depart at your bidding ? ” 

Hastings had been so intent upon his suit that he 
had failed to notice a large mastiff lying on the 
ground, and almost hidden by tall grass, near the 


A DISCOVERY. 


199 


lady’s feet. The animal was well trained, and made 
no demonstration against the intruder until the pres- 
ent moment, when Mrs. Estelroy exclaimed, 

Tiger ! ” 

The dog arose, showed his teeth, growled, and 
placed himself by the side of his mistress. He 
seemed to understand from the tone of her voice 
that he was not to proceed t(^xtremities until further 
orders. Hastings was unarmed. He did not like 
the appearance of the intelligent brute ; but neither 
did he feel willing, after his boasting, to beat an igno- 
minious retreat. But he well knew the temper of 
Mrs. Estelroy, and he was aware that it was now his 
turn to obey. 

That lady -said nothing, but wavecf her hand 
haughtily. Hastings turned away, and walked, in as 
cool and dignified a manner as was possible under 
the circumstances, towards the low place in the hedge 
where he had entered. The mastiff followed closely 
at his heels, without attempting to bite him, but giving 
occasionally a low growl. 

Hastings expected every moment to feel the fangs 
of the animal in his legs. It was a rule with this 
man to avoid danger and physical suffering, even if 
conduct of a cowardly nature were necessary in so 
doing. But when escape was impossible, he always 
assumed a bold and deliberate bearing. ■ 

The time required to reach the hedge seemed to 
him exceedingly long; but he found himself there 
at last. He sprang lightly over. He feared that the 
dog would- seize him in the act. But Tiger, deem- 
ing that his 'duty had been fully performed, looked 
quietly on. 


200 


AT swords’ points. 


The miscreant now felt that he was out of danger, 
and began to utter threats against Mrs. Estelroy. 
Two of her servants, however, her gardener and 
coachman, were there, and had for a few moments 
been looking on, as well as Gordon. 

They seized Hastings with the half-uttered impre- 
cation on his lips. 

“ Come along, you villain,” said one of them. 

We ’ll teach you not to intrude on these premises.” 

“ Where will you take me ? ” inquired Hastings. 

To the pond, to duck you.” 

“ You will, eh ! ” said Hastings, as he drew a small 
instrument from his pocket. ” Release me this in- 
stant, or take the consequences.” 

In the dim light the men saw, as they thought, a 
burnished weapon in Hastings’s hand. They believed 
it to be a pistol, and, though possessed of ordinary 
courage, they had a dread of fire-arms, especially in 
the hands of a man who they believed was well ac- 
customed to the use of them. They at once let their 
prisoner go and walked away. 

Hastings returned to his pocket a small spy-glass, 
and, pleased with his latest success, though consider- 
ably crest-fallen over the adventures of the evening, 
returned to his rooms in town. 

Gordon, with his usual presence of mind, though 
at first not a little startled at what he saw, waited to 
ascertain if his intervention would be necessary. But, 
perceiving that Mrs. Estelroy was fully able to protect 
herself, he walked on to the village, resolved that what 
he had seen upon that occasion should forever be 
locked within his breast. 


A DISCOVERY. 


201 


On the following morning the face of Hastings 
showed no sign of annoyance, though there was a 
determined and sinister expression upon it as he sat 
down after eating his breakfast and wrote the follow- 
ing note : 

“Glen Lynn, October 17, 18 — . 

Madame : — I have the honor to inform you that 
I hold six notes made and executed by the late Mr. 
Estelroy, to the order of Rix, Letair & Co., for the 
sum of twelve thousand dollars each, and endorsed 
and delivered to me by that firm. As they have now 
remained unpaid for a long time, I shall expect to 
have them settled at once. Otherwise they will be 
placed in the hands of an attorney for collection 
against the estate. 

“ With gceat respect, I remain, 

“ Percival Hastings. 

“Mrs. Estelroy.” 

“ There ! ” said he, as he folded the paper ; “ I won- 
der if my haughty queen will not repent her arro- 
gance of last evening. Would that I could see the 
expression of her countenance when she reads this 
letter ! It would repay me for the indignities I suf- 
fered on her account. Well, I shall hear from her 
shortly. That will suffice.” 

An hour later, Mrs. Estelroy had received the com- 
munication. She was surprised and shocked ; but she 
did not lose her self-possession. . Still reposing the 
utmost confidence in Gordon, she sent for him imme- 
diately and gave him Hastings’s note to read. 

” This is astounding,” he said. ” Why has he kept 
quiet over the matter so long, and with an arqount in- 
volved that is simply enormous ? The circumstances 


202 


AT swords’ points. 


are certainly very suspicious. Do you, Mrs. Estelroy, 
know anything about these notes ? ” 

“ Nothing whatever. My husband always told me 


that he did not owe anything.” 


“You could identify his handwriting very readily, 
I suppose ? ” 

“ Very easily, I think.” 

“ I will go down, then, and see Mr. Hastings at once. 
I will get something out of him, at any rate. I will soon 
return with one of the signatures for your inspection.” 

“ Is not this Hastings a particular friend of yours ?” 
inquired Mrs. Estelroy, quickly. 

“We have been intimate,” Gordon answered, quite 
coolly, “ rather too intimate, I fear, from what I am 
learning of him. But this business will afford the 
opportunity for which I have been seeking, to break 
off with him altogether.” 


CHAPTER XXVII. 


A CHANGE OF BASE. 


H, Gordon ! how are you this morning? Very 



glad to see you,” said Hastings, when Gordon 
called upon him soon after the interview with Mrs. 
Estelroy. “ Anything I can do for you ? ” 

“ I came to see you in reference to a letter you sent 
Mrs. Estelroy,” Gordon replied. “ I am retained as 
her attorney.” 


A CHANGE OF BASE. 


203 


Happy to hear it. I like to transact business with 
gentlemen, — those that are real gentlemen, you know. 
The lady is prompt.” 

“ Will you be so kind as to show me the six notes 
which you mentioned in the letter?” inquired Gor- 
don, coldly. 

“ Certainly, my dear sir, certainly ; here they are in 
the desk.” 

‘‘The face of these notes was not written by Mr. 
Estelroy, at least,” said the attorney, as if speaking to 
himself, but with the full intention that Hastings 
should hear him. 

” By Mr. Estelroy, at least!' repeated that person : 
“you mean everi if the signatures were affixed by him. 
You are a shrewd young man, Gordon, and are, as I 
perceive, beginning to look around to see how many 
defences you can find for your client. But you are 
on the wrong scent this time, my dear fellow, I can 
assure you.” 

“ Is it not rather singular,” said the lawyer, in the 
same cold tone, “ that you should have kept notes for 
such large amounts so long a time without making an 
effort to collect them ? ” 

“ ’Tis the simplest thing in the world to explain,” 
Hastings replied, in his usual easy manner. “ I hav^e 
not been suffering for money, as you are aware. I 
felt very friendly to Estelroy, and did not desire to 
press him. He paid the interest up regularly, as you 
will see by the endorsements on the notes. I knew 
that it was safe and a good investment. I did not sup- 
pose that he was going to be killed, poor fellow ! Of 
course, after that sad tragedy, I did not wish to annoy 
his widow v/ith untimely demands.” 


204 


AT swords’ points. 


“Your letter of this morning does not exhibit any 
reluctance to annoy her, I should say.” 

“ That letter was written after I had made her a fair 
offer of compromise.” 

“ Which offer, I imagine, involved other than finan- 
cial matters.” 

“ To a small extent only,” Hastings answered. 

“ Nevertheless she rejected them ? ” 

“ Decidedly. Otherwise I should not have written 
the letter.” 

“ It appears to me, Mr. Hastings, that some very 
suspicious circumstances attach to these notes, and I 
shall advise my client — ” 

“ One moment, my dear Gordon. I can throw all 
the light you desire upon this case, — yes, make it 
as clear as day to you. But, in the first place, why 
are you so very particular to call me Mr. Hastings ? 
You have been retained by a wealthy client. You did 
right to accept the retainer, no matter whom you 
have to hit. If it is myself, I shall not complain : I 
know the world too well for that. I expect you to 
do your duty, and your whole duty, by your client. 
This can, however, be no reason for estranging two 
friends. 

• “ Secondly, I should be justified in taking offence 
at some remarks you have made this morning, and 
some intimations which you have thrown out ; but I 
will pass them by, at least for the present. 

“ As to any suspicious circumstances, I merely state, 
in addition to what I have already said, that I sup- 
posed the notes were mine, and that I might use them 
the same as I would any other property belonging to 


A CHANGE OF BASE. 


205 


me, to add to my pleasures, to increase my happiness, 
or to thwart an opponent. It was Estelroy’s duty to 
come and pay me, not mine to demand payment of 
him. I don’t suppose that I do business exactly like 
other people. It suits me, however — it is my right. 
If any object, let them avail themselves of the irregu- 
larity if they can. 

“ Now I will tell you further about those notes ; 
and I have witnesses in New York to substantiate all 
that I say to you. Some time before moving out 
here, Estelroy seemed to become possessed with a 
sort of mania for speculation. There was no reason 
for it. He was young, well off, and knew the danger 
upon which he was entering. He had acquired the 
thirst for it, however, and commenced. At first he 
was cautious and did not invest largely, but made 
about five thousand dollars in his enterprise. Then 
he cleared ten thousand, then twenty-five thousand, 
and afterwards thirty thousand dollars. 

“ It’s the old story. He grew reckless, and finally 
lost all that he had made, and a good deal besides. 
They were pressing him for money, and I bought 
these notes in order to aid him.” 

“I think,” said Gordon, “you stated some months 
ago that you scarcely knew Estelroy. Now it ap- 
pears that you accommodated him to the amount of 
seventy-two thousand dollars. How is that? ” 

“ I had not then decided what course I should pur- 
sue as to these notes and other matters growing out 
of the transactions with Estelroy; and I have generally 
found it advisable to keep my own counsel until I 
had good reason for making it known.” 

18 


206 


AT swords’ points. 


“ Is it not, however, very unusual for one of your 
selfish and Epicurean philosophy to advance so large 
a sum to aid a friend, and that friend not an intimate 
one, either ? ” inquired Gordon, sarcastically. 

“ It was just my philosophy, selfish and Epicurean 
as you are pleased to term it, that led me to do so. 
After this matter is disposed of, I shall probably in- 
form you just why. I do not purpose to do so at 
present, however.” 

“ Well, Mr. Hastings,” continued Gordon, in the 
same tone, “ I have listened patiently to your story, 
and must admit that it is quite plausible ; but I do 
not believe one word of it. Whether we have any 
defence or not to those notes is another question. 
By the way, you gave your permission, I believe, for 
me to take one for Mrs. Estelroy’s inspection. It 
will save obtaining an order from court for the pur- 
pose. I will select this one, and will return it by to- 
morrow. I do not yet know what view my client 
will take of this matter; but I shall advise her to fight 
you clear through. So the sooner you begin, Mr. 
Hastings, the sooner you will get your money, if you 
get it at all ; and we will prepare to meet you at each 
step.” 

** Don’t boast beforehand, my young friend,” said 
Hastings, in a tone entirely different from that which 
he had before assumed. But perhaps you don't 
look upon me now as a friend. Remember that I am 
ever a true friend, but that I am also an emeny who 
never forgives or forgets.” 

“ I care neither for your friendship nor for your 
enmity, Mr. Hastings.” 


A CHANGE OF BASE. 20/ 

“You had better have kept that to yourself until 
you know of my power to injure you.” Gordon 
slightly winced, but replied : 

“ Oh, that is your game, is it ? Do as you please.” 

“ Come, come, Gordon,” said Hastings, making one 
more attempt at friendliness. “You may show a 
proper reserve during the pendency of this case ; but 
why should we quarrel ? ” 

“ Because you are attempting to defraud a lady 
whom I am bound to protect.” 

“ Do not the feelings of a lover, or perhaps I should 
say an admirer, enter into this case as well as those 
of an attorney ? ” 

“That is none of your business, sir,” replied Gor- 
don, completely thrown off his guard. 

“All right. Just as you wish. I have your secret 
now. Good-morning, Mr. Gordon.” 

“ And I possess more of yours than you will wish 
I did before I have done,” said Gordon, as he passed 
through the doorway. 

“ Here ! what ’s that threat ? Come back, Gordon,” 
cried Hastings. 

The lawyer, however, passed on his way. 

“ So he is fascinated with the only woman that 
I ever worshipped,” soliloquized Hastings. “Yes, I 
adored her once, and I might do so again. But, curse 
him ! does he think that magnificent creature will ever 
care for him ? Never ! If it were not for this fasci- 
nation, I could shape him to my purposes, and make 
him believe that he was serving her. Now his whole 
heart is in the cause, — feelings, affection, passion, 
and all else. Instead of being my tool, he will at- 


208 


AT swords’ points. 


tempt to thwart me. My time will come, though. I 
shall, have him yet. When she learns what his hopes 
are, she will crush him with her scorn. Then I can 
use him ; and I will, to some purpose. 

“What did he mean by that threat? Could she 
have told him anything ? I think not. He threw it 
at me as an impotent rejoinder to what I had said to 
him. I must set to work, though ; for they evidently 
mistrust something, they scarcely know what. I will 
show them, by as direct a chain of evidence as ever 
went into court, how badly they are deceived. And 
if I am prompt, I shall astonish them all the more. 
I should like to employ Grafton. He knows, how- 
ever, that I have been his enemy. Rowe is my man. 
If he can retain Grafton when the cases come to trial, 
I will have him do it. Grafton need not know all. 

“ I shall give Gordon until Saturday night to say 
what they will do. If the answer is not satisfactory, 
the machinery shall be put in motion.” 


GORDON AND MRS. ESTELROY. 20g 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

GORDON AND MRS. ESTELROY. 

R ecent events had given Gordon great satis- 
faction. He was certain that he had nothing 
to fear from Hastings as a rival in the affections of 
Mrs. Estelroy. He also congratulated himself that 
he must now very frequently visit her under circum- 
stances favorable to the success of his suit without 
his appearing to be eager for her society, or conduct- 
ing himself in such a manner as to lead her to sus- 
pect too soon that he called as a lover rather than as 
an attorney. 

He again went to Estelroy Place, to inform her of 
the result of his conference with Hastings. The lady 
examined the note which Gordon brought up, and the 
signature attached to the same. She said she believed 
that her husband had written it, and yet that it was 
hot exactly like his ordinary signature, though she 
could not state in what particulars it differed. The 
endorsement of the interest so regularly upon the 
note made it appear as if it was genuine ; but Hast- 
ings might have done it for that very purpose. She 
said, however, that there was something wrong about 
the matter; that Mr. Estelroy never could have been 
so happy and free from care as he was after their re- 
moval to Glen Lynn, with such a load of debt hang- 
ing over him ; that he was always sensitive about 
financial matters, even to the point of forbidding her 
to run up accounts for any purpose ; that he had fre- 
i8* O 


210 


AT swords’ points. 


quently told her, in a jocular way, how much property 
she would have when he was gone, and that the 
amount always named by him corresponded very 
nearly with the assets which he left. She could not 
believe that when he was so devoted to the members 
of his family he could have been conducting himself 
with continued deceit towards them. 

Gordon told her that it was very difficult to make a 
good defence to promissory notes where the signature 
to them could readily be proved, but that he agreed 
with her fully that something was wrong about these ; 
that he had been convinced of it while talking to 
Hastings, and that he had said as much to him ; that 
it was a very unpleasant affair, and that he greatly 
regretted the necessity of troubling her with it at all. 
His advice was to let Hastings sue as soon as he 
chose, and then to contest his claims inch by inch 
and step by step, and that one or two of the best 
counsel to be found in the country be retained to aid 
him ; that it would be some time before the cases 
could be tried, and in the interval they might learn 
of very material facts. 

Mrs. Estelroy said she left the matter entirely with 
her attorney : when he had decided what counsel he 
wished to have retained, she would authorize him to 
engage them. 

A few days after, notice was served by Hastings 
that on a certain day, at ten o’clock A. m., he would 
apply to the Judge of probate for an order to compel 
Mrs. Estelroy, as executrix, to pay the amount of the 
notes and interest out of the estate of her deceased 
husband. 


GORDON AND MRS. ESTELROY. 


2II 


Gordon appeared before the probate Judge upon the 
designated day, and Hastings with his counsel, Judge 
Rowe. Gordon was prepared, first, with a motion to 
dismiss the matter before that court, for the reason that 
they contested the claims and each and every of them, 
and were entitled to have the cause tried by a jury; 
and, secondly, with a motion, in case the Judge held 
that he had jurisdiction, for an adjournment for a suf- 
ficient length of time to give them an opportunity to 
prepare for trial. 

He knew that the application on the part of Hast- 
ings was made merely as a “feeler,” to ascertain, if 
they could, what would be the line of defence. Gor- 
don disappointed them in this. He argued his first 
motion, and was opposed determinedly by Judge 
Rowe ; but before Gordon could close the argument 
the Judge of probate said that it was not necessary to 
proceed further; that under the statutes of the State 
the cause must first be tried in the circuit court, and 
that he was surprised that a lawyer of the experience 
of Judge Rowe should attempt to obtain an order like 
the one asked for. 

Thus Gordon was successful in the first move of 
the game. He was somewhat elated thereat ; but he 
was fully aware that the decision had little bearing 
upon the real merits of the case. Now, however, in 
his opinion, was the time for urging his suit with Mrs. 
Estelroy. 

On the following day an action was commenced by 
Judge Rowe, as attorney for Hastings, upon all the 
notes in question. To the complaint in that case 
Gordon filed a very carefully prepared answer, which 


212 


AT swords’ points. 


denied every material allegation in the complaint, and 
set up various other matters of defence. 

Thus time passed on, and the young lawyer did not 
lose an opportunity to ingratiate himself with his fair 
client. His attentions were delicate, but they became 
persistent. He called upon her whenever his business 
as her attorney furnished any reasonable excuse, and 
soon chose the evenings for these visits, so that he 
might not be compelled to depart so soon after those 
matters had been discussed, as he would have done 
during business hours. 

The lady always treated him kindly, even cordially; 
but, greatly to his chagrin, he had as yet failed to per- 
ceive the slightest act upon her part showing she en- 
tertained for him any feelings whatever except those 
she would naturally have towards a confidential at- 
torney whom she esteemed. She invited him to din- 
ner on two or three occasions when other guests were 
there also, and twice, as a matter of convenience 
when they met down town, he had been requested to 
take a seat beside her in her carriage. These were 
bright occasions in the memory of the lawyer. He 
believed that he was earnestly, ardently, and unself- 
ishly devoted to her and to her interest, and felt that 
life itself would be dependent upon her final answer. 
How far he was correct the sequel will show. 

After issue had been joined (to use a phrase of the 
legal profession) in the suit between Hastings and 
Mrs. Estelroy, Gordon requested a friend of his resid- 
ing in New York, upon whose shrewdness he could 
rely, to call upon Rix, Letair & Co., the payees named 
in the notes, and to learn what he could in reference 


GORDON AND MRS. ESTELROY. 213 

to their transaction, if any such existed, with Mr. 
Estelroy. 

They replied that they had had heavy transactions 
with the gentleman named ; that the notes in ques- 
tion had been executed by him and received by them- 
selves ; that they afterwards received the money from 
them through their banker, who was then in Europe ; 
but whether it was from Estelroy, Hastings, or some 
other person, they were unable to say : probably from 
Hastings, if he held the notes. 

Their banker, or the person who then was their 
banker, would return in a couple of months, when they 
would learn further. 

This information was not very encouraging to Gor- 
don. Yet he thought he could perceive in it a dim 
ray of light. It at least gave him something of a clue 
to work upon, and should it not lead to anything defi- 
nite, he might, in following it, discover other traces. 

Mrs. Estelroy came into his office one morning 
after he had received the letter from his friend ; and 
he told her of the contents. 

“ It appears against us,” she replied ; “ and yet, as 
you say, it may lead to something of importance. 
Besides, it tends to corroborate a theory I have had 
in reference to these notes.” 

“ May I inquire what that is?” said Gordon. 

“That my husband did not owe him the money 
on those notes, and, as I first said to you, there is 
something wrong about them. But Hastings is not 
the man to commit a full forgery.” 

“ Why?” 

“ Because he is not quite wicked enough, and he is 
too much of a coward.” 


214 


AT swords’ points. 


I agree with you. But what bearing has this 
upon your theory ? ” 

“ My theory,” replied Mrs. Estelroy, “ is that the 
signatures are not forged, but that the papers have 
come into Hastings’s hands by some dishonest means. 
He never could spare the money to buy them. He 
obtained them for a purpose, and has kept them until 
this time, first, with the view of controlling the actions 
of Mr. Estelroy, and, since my husband’s death, of my- 
self He is no common forger, and, though dishonest 
and unprincipled, is no common rogue or swindler 
either.” 

“ I believe that your views are correct about Hast- 
ings, and that your theory is the true one. I shall 
look up the matter with the greatest care.” 

“ I suppose,” resumed the lady, “ that many facts 
which would convince us will not be admitted upon 
the trial, under your rules of evidence. My father be- 
longed to your profession, and I learned a little about 
law from him.” 

Yes ; many matters that seem to be important are 
held by the court to be improper or irrelevant. But 
we have much to encourage us ; and my object shall 
be to obtain such facts as will be admitted in evi- 
dence.” 

When Gordon next had occasion to call upon his 
client, he found her greatly excited. As she entered 
the parlor where he was sitting, her face flushed and 
her eyes flashing, yet retaining all her dignity and 
queenliness of bearing, Gordon thought he had never 
seen her appear so surpassingly lovely. His'whole 
being seemed electrified, and for once the cool-headed 
lawyer lost much of his self-control. 


GORDON AND MRS. ESTELROY. 


215 


“That detestable Hastings,” exclaimed the lady, 
“ not content with annoying me by his fraudulent 
claims, has had the audacity to address me a letter, 
when he well knows that you are my attorney. It 
claims to be on business affairs ; but it is overbearing 
and insulting in its tone.” 

Gordon felt that the propitious moment had ar- 
rived ; and, after offering to become the lady's 
avenger, he poured out the full story of his love. 
He had for a length of time been preparing and con- 
niving over a brief speech for the eventful occasion, 
but, now that the time had arrived, he could not re- 
member five words of it. His effort, therefore, was 
slightly confused at the beginning. As he proceeded, 
he gained a little courage ; and at the close he put 
to the object of his passion what the profession term 
a leading question, — one that could be answered by 
Yes or No. 


2i6 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

NEW LIGHT. 

M r. GRAFTON, if not engaged, I wish you 
would walk into my office for a few moments,” 
said Mr. Banks, a short time before the election. 

“ With pleasure,” replied the gentleman addressed. 
“ You have been nominated,” resumed Banks, when 
the two had been seated, “ for the office which I now 
occupy. The nomination is equivalent to an election : 
so that you are certain to be our next prosecuting 
attorney. There is some business to which I desire 
to call your attention.” 

Better wait until after election,” Grafton replied. 

I am about to leave town for some length of time. 
It may be too late when I return.” 

Proceed, then, if you please.” 

“There are three or four persons bound over to 
appear at the next term of court. What the grand 
jury may do with them I cannot say. That leaves 
only one old case in the office, or two cases in one, 
rather. They are Estelroy’s assassination, and the 
mysterious death of Rodgers in jail.” 

“ I never knew much about the matter,” said Graf- 
ton, “ but I had supposed the general impression was 
that Rodgers killed Estelroy, and that, with the death 
of the former in jail, the case was ended, so far, at 
least, as the prosecution was concerned.” 

“ Such was the belief of many ; but Gordon, who 


NEW LIGHT. 217 

was deeply interested in the affair, entertained entirely 
different views upon the subject.” 

“ So I have heard.” 

** Pardon me, but you and he are not on good terms, 
I believe ? ” 

‘‘ I am sorry to say that we were not,” Grafton re- 
plied. I hardly think, however, that I was in fault. 
Of late there has been an improvement in our re- 
lations.” 

I agree with you that you were not in fault, Mr. 
Grafton. Gordon is talented and quick, but very 
peculiar. Of course, if anything turns up in these 
matters while you are district-attorney, Gordon will 
have to be dropped as an associate.” 

I suppose so,” said Grafton. As affairs stand, 
we could not get on well together.” 

“ Well, I can tell you about all that he knows, so 
that it will not be necessary for you to see him. 
There is a good deal in his reasoning about the mur- 
der of Estelroy, the death of Rodgers, and the escape 
of the man who registered himself as Flemming.” 

And Gordon believes that Rodgers, if guilty, was 
not the only guilty one, and that Flemming, whom 
he was unable to trace, really poisoned him.” 

Precisely,” said Banks. 

I will think the matter over,” resumed Grafton. 

You have done all that could have been done, and 
more than a year has now passed since the first crime 
was committed. By keeping this subject in our minds, 
and giving it our attention, we may yet unravel the 
mystery.” 

“ I hope we may. But with the escape of Flem- 
19 


2i8 


AT swords’ points. 


ming and the death of Rodgers I thought the devil 
had received his due, and that I would give myself no 
further trouble about the matter.” 

A few weeks later the election followed, and Graf- 
ton received at the polls a very handsome majority. 
Soon after that he was duly installed in his office. 

As Mr. Banks had stated, he found but few crimi- 
nal cases requiring his attention at first (though sub- 
sequently they rapidly increased), and it occurred to 
him that that would be an excellent time to see what 
could be done with 'the Estelroy case. If he could 
succeed in unravelling the mystery after Gordon and 
Banks had failed, it would certainly be very gratifying. 

While his mind was intent upon this subject, he 
received a call from a peculiar-looking individual, a 
man who was evidently a borderer or frontiersman. 

*‘Are you Lawyer Grafton?” he asked. 

“ Yes.” 

“Well, I expected to see an older man. It’s all 
the same, though. They tell me I can put confidence 
in you, and that you won’t play me any tricks. Is 
that so ? ” 

“I think it is,” said Grafton, smiling. 

“ How much do you ask for letting me talk to you 
for a couple of hours and getting your opinion ? ” 

Grafton named the amount. The stranger raised 
no objection, and, producing an old leather bag, 
counted out the sum in silver and pushed it towards 
the lawyer. 

Then he continued : 

“ I come to talk with you about this Rodgers and 
Estelroy business.” 


NEW LIGHT. 


219 


It was not without an effort that Grafton concealed 
his surprise. This certainly could not be the man 
Flemming. 

“ Can you throw any light on either of the cases, 
or on both ? ” Grafton inquired. 

“ I ’m afraid not ; I Ve my own suspicions, and 
that’s all; but I’ve got to look into this thing, and 
I ’ll tell you why. Rodgers was a sort of an old 
friend of mine. Strange, do you think ? Many men 
would n’t like to own it : would they ? — especially 
one like myself, who never even lifted a finger agin 
the law ; and I make no question that Rodgers was a 
murderer. His takin’ off was really mysterious. He 
was not always such a man, now I can tell you. 
When I first knew him, I believed he was honest, 
even if he was rough. He settled on a section, and 
built a home for himself. He did n’t understand what 
steps were necessary to secure the title correctly, and 
the land-sharks got it away from him. After that he 
took to drink; and then he had quarrels with his 
wife, who had been a likely gal before that. Then 
she got tired of him and his abuse, and run away 
with another feller. 

“I felt real sorry for him. That didn’t do any 
good, though. He begun to git surly and ugly. He 
thought that he had been robbed, and that he had a 
right to make it up from the community generally ; 
and he went on from bad to worse. At first he got 
into a fight with a man down on the river, and nearly 
killed him. He was sent to jail for a year, where he 
spent most of his time a broodin’ over his wrongs. 

“ When he come out, the first thing he did was to 


220 


AT swords’ points. 


hunt up the feller who had run off with his wife. He 
said he had been thinking over the thing, and he ’d 
made up his mind that he’d been long in gettin’ his 
satisfaction, but he meant to have it then, anyway. 

“ Well, he found his man ; but somebody had told 
him Rodgers was a cornin’, and he was heeled for 
him. They had a lively fight, and both got putty 
consid’ably used up. Rodgers got well ; but t’ other 
one died. Rodgers was tried for that too ; but the 
jury decided that as the feller had run off with his 
wife, and as it had been a free and fair fight into the 
bargain, they ought to let him go; an’ they did.” 

“Well, what has all this to do with the case?” 
asked Grafton, rather impatiently. 

“ Aint I a payin’ for this time, stranger?” 

“Yes, I suppose you are.” 

“ Let me go on, then. I want you to understand 
it. Otherwise you might think it mighty sing’lar that 
I take so much interest in a dead felon, as you ’d call 
him. D ’ye see ? 

“ After Rodgers, as I was a sayin’, had killed that 
man, he helped to rob a stage-coach or two, and got 
consid’able money by the operation, I reckon. Next 
he got into that scrape down at Chicago, and was 
tried for horse-stealing. He always was lucky with 
juries, and he was no sooner out of that than he got 
mixed up in this Estelroy matter ; and then his time 
come. Whoever was after him did n’t intend to leave 
it to no verdict on that occasion, you may bet your 
bottom dollar. 

“Now, I’ll jist tell you why I take an interest in 
this affair. Rodgers, bad as he was, once saved my 


NEW LIGHT. 


221 


life, and, what was more, saved the lives of my wife 
and three of the babies. It was in early days. The 
Injins was makin’ it hot for us, an’ Rodgers travelled 
all night and then fought all day to save us ; an’ he 
did it, too. When we got through, he wouldn’t take 
nuthin’ from me; but he made me promise that if 
ever he was in danger I would go to his help if I 
could, and that if he died by any but nat’ral or fair 
means I would avenge his death. 

“ Stranger, I reckon that time has come. 

“ I mean to avenge his death ; and I here say to 
you, lawyer, that in so doin’ I believe I shall be the 
avenger of justice and of Estelroy too.” 

” How will that be ? ” inquired Grafton, a good deal 
interested. 

Rodgers wasn’t alone in that job.” 

“ I have thought so myself” 

“ You judged, I suppose, from general circumstances. 
I know a few particulars,” said the stranger 

“ Indeed ! ” 

“ Yes, sir, I can’t tell you all yet; but I’ll jist say this. 
I got a message in a very cur’us way from Rodgers 
after that man that called himself Flemming had 
visited him, and when he begun to feel that they had 
played it on him, he thought it would be better to 
leave the matter with me than to make a rumpus 
about it then. . He felt that he was done for, anyhow. 
Rodgers jist went into that Estelroy case for money 
and nuthin’ else.” 

“And you believe that the person who employed 
him was the same who visited Rodgers in jail, and 
19 * 


222 


AT swords’ points. 


that by means of some subtle poison he effected his 
death,” the lawyer inquired. 

“ I know it.” 

“ But can you prove it ? ” 

“ That’s jist what I want you to help me to do.” 

“Ah! I see.” 

“ I ’ll be around in a few days agin, and will have 
somethin’ more to tell you then. They are matters 
I promised to say nothin’ about, until I saw a party 
agin. He’ll be around soon, and then I can tell you.” 

” How soon ? It may make a difference.” 

“ Well, in a few days at any rate. I thought I ’d 
better jist come in and tell you all I could. You 
might be a thinkin’ that over, and keepin’ yer eye 
peeled, so that when I git back from Chicago, where 
I ’m goin’ for two or three days, by puttin’ our heads 
together we may at least find the startin’-point of this 
enterprise.” 

“ And who is the accomplice of Rodgers, and, as 
you suppose, his assassin ? ” 

The stranger took a piece of paper, and, writing a 
name distinctly upon it, held it up before Grafton, and 
then tore it into atoms. 

“ Impossible ! ” exclaimed Grafton. 

“ Quite possible,” said the other ; “ and I ’ll soon 
tell you the reason why he done it.” 


A RECONCILIATION. 


223 


CHAPTER XXX. 

A RECONCILIATION. 

W HEN Gordon had concluded his proposals to 
Mrs. Estelroy, that lady at first looked much 
astonished ; then, saying to him, in chilling tones, 
“ Mr. Gordon, no gentleman would have so far for- 
gotten his position,” she swept from the room. He 
caught but one look of her haughty eye, in which 
were mingled pride and scorn, and he was alone. 

The words and the manner combined produced in 
him a strange revulsion of feeling. He seized his 
hat, rushed from the house, and for several days was 
scarcely visible to any of his friends. Hastings, how- 
ever, kept his eye upon him, and, readily divining 
from his manner somewhat of the occurrence, after a 
reasonable time had elapsed called upon the lawyer 
at his rooms., He was admitted, and found his quon- 
dam friend looking sullen and gloomy. He paid no 
attention to that, however, but inquired : 

“Why, Gordon, where have you been keeping 
yourself for the past week ? We have seen nothing 
of you as usual about town.” 

“I have been exceedingly busy with professional 
affairs,” the lawyer curtly replied; 

“ But, my dear friend,” said Hastings, in his most 
winning tones, “ has not something else occurred to 
trouble you ? ” 

“ Well, what if there has ? ” 

“ I might offer some suggestions of relief.” 


224 


AT swords’ points. 


“ That would be impossible.” 

** It might not,” said Hastings. 

“ I know it would.” 

“ Sympathy and companionship may sometimes 
relieve even the most acute suffering.” 

”Yes, sometimes.” 

” My dear Gordon, I have no desire for a confidence 
that you would hesitate to give me, and I will trouble 
you no further at present; but should you at any 
future time wish to confide in a friend, you know 
where to find one.” 

“Confound it,” said Gordon, bracing himself up as 
with an effort, “ the matter is past all hope. I have 
met with a disappointment.” 

“ From the fair and proud lady of the hill ? ” 

“ Who told you ? ” 

“ No one; l only surmised it. I know her.” 

“And I wish that I never had.” 

“ Her refusal, then, was not couched in the most 
polite and gentle terms, I imagine,” added Hastings. 

“ Why do you say that ? ” 

“ I have already stated that I know her : in fact, I 
may say that I am well acquainted with her.” 

“You have been treated in the same manner?” 
asked Gordon, brightening up. 

“Very similarly,” replied Hastings; “only that 
mine was a worse case than yours ; for at one period 
I was given no little encouragement.” 

“Then I suppose we may sympathize with each 
other.” 

“ Certainly.” 

“ Well,” resumed Gordon, “ I shall soon be over 


A RECONCILIATION. 


225‘ 

with this. My fancy is rapidly changing to another 
feeling.” 

” He never loved,” Hastings muttered to himself, 
then continued, aloud — 

“We must learn to bear our disappointments, Gor- 
don. I admire your courage in being determined to 
overcome them at once.” 

“ I will not simply overcome them, but I will help 
to lower the pride of certain parties before I have 
done.” 

“ That is what I was attempting to do when you 
wanted to break off our friendship.” 

“ I was hasty then, and have no such desire at the 
present time.” 

“ I am aware of that, and have already forgiven 
you for that little exhibition of temper. Now, why 
cannot we work together ? ” 

“ I am still the lady’s counsel and attorney.” 

“ How long will you be such ? ” 

“ I cannot say.” 

“You will be requested to present your bill very 
soon. It will be paid, and then you will be dismissed.” 

“ Do you think so ? ” inquired Gordon. 

“ Certainly.” 

“ That will follow, of course,” replied the attorney. 
“ She would not wish to retain me after what has hap- 
pened. But I have been counselled with in the case, 
and cannot act for an opposite party.” 

“ That is right. Stand by the rules of your profes- 
sion,” said Hastings, willing to bide his time, and 
knowing that he would fail if he pushed on too 
eagerly. “ But I am gratified to learn that J shall not 
P 


'226 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


have a gentleman of your learning and shrewdness 
opposed to my interests.” 

“You have not forgotten your old arts, I see,” said 
Gordon, -smiling ; “but I will pardon them in you on 
this occasion.” 

“ Yes, because you are aware that I am speaking the 
truth. You know that I was disappointed in having 
you appear for Mrs. Estelroy in this suit upon the 
notes. She had the start of me in that instance ; but 
I shall make up by-and-by.” 

“ I wish now that I might appear on the other side. 
I would show whether I am one to be scorned.” 

“ It seems rather bad now that you cannot receive 
pay on either side.” 

“Oh, that is one of the chances of war,” Gordon 
replied. 

“ I again say to you that I am pleased to see you 
look at all these troubles in such a philosophic way. 
They are hard to bear; but they will do you good. 
I expect to see you a great man yet, Gordon, and I 
intend to do what I can to aid you in becoming one. 
I am older than you, and consequently have seen 
much more of the world. I say it as a friend, of 
course, that all you need is a little hardening process. 
One needs to be, in battling with this world, hard, 
bright, polished, and cold as a well-finished steel blade, 
and as sharp, too ; but you will not be lacking in that 
direction, I feel assured. 

“You have a tendency to be too kind-hearted and 
conscientious. I desire to see you a finished gentle- 
man, of course ; but you must not allow those two 
qualities to interfere with your advancement. 


A RECONCILIATION. 


227 


When I first had the pleasure of your ac,quaint- 
ance, I feared that you would be too Puritanical to 
rise as high in the world as you ought to with the 
talents that you possess. 

“ I have, therefore, endeavored to give you, as I 
would any friend whom I valued, a better insight into 
the motives of men, and the reasons for following the 
rule which I have adopted. It may seem harsh and 
selfish at first, but I assure you it pays best in the end. 

Sometimes, no doubt, you imagined that I went 
too far. I have only done it for your good. I saw 
that it was necessary to remove some of your earlier 
scruples ; and I trust I have done so to a certain ex- 
tent. Life is short at best, and the more real pleasure 
we can enjoy tlie better will we appreciate it when 
the end comes. 

“ Upon the other hand, if we live here a hard, nar- 
row, and ascetic life in order to prepare for the future, 
how great will our disappointment be to find that our 
sufferings and self-denials have been of no avail.” 

When I first knew you,” replied Gordon, “ I did 
think your views rather radical ; but the more I see 
of life and think over the subject, the more I am be- 
ginning to be satisfied that your ideas are correct.” 

"‘I knew your intellect was too large and clear 
to be bound with the ordinary trammels. I do not 
wish you to be extreme; but you should go far enough 
not to let ordinary scruples of conscience interfere 
either with your pleasures or with your ambition.” 

“ I shall work harder than ever now,” said Gordon. 
*‘If I ever marry, I propose to make an alliance that 
will help me on in the world.” 


228 


AT swords’ points. 


‘‘ There you are right. You must marry: it gives 
one in your profession a better position ; and if you 
can obtain money and influential and powerful rela- 
tives by it, all the better. But do not be in a hurry. 
There ’s time enough ; and after you are better known 
as a lawyer you can make a far more advantageous 
match.” 

“ That is true. I will bide my time. But in wealth 
and position I promise myself that before I am very 
old I will be the equal of some who now hold their 
heads very high.” 

“ By the way,” said Hastings, “ I desire to retain 
you in a suit. You will not be prevented from acting 
by any professional rules, either.” 

“What is it?” 

“The fair Mabel has sent up here and had me 
sued. These are the papers that were served on 
me. 

“They propose to make it lively for you, do 
they?” 

“We’ll see. Here’s a hundred dollars as a re- 

iner fee.” 

“ No matter about that now.” 

“Yes, it is. Take it. You shall have more when 
called for. Work thoroughly.” 

“ It will be as well to pay me at the end of the 
case.” 

“ No, it won’t. You will feel better with plenty of 
money in your pocket. I knew a rich old fellow 
once, who had been a good lawyer in his day, too, 
who would never act in his own cases, and always 
feed his attorneys well, although some would have 


THE NEW ATTORNEY. 


229 


acted for him through professional courtesy and for 
favors received. He followed out the principle of 
the old adage, * He who acts as his own attorney has 
a fool for a client.’ ” 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

THE NEW ATTORNEY. 

S OON after Mrs. Estelroy’s refusal of Gordon she 
received a visit from her uncle, Mr. La Pierre. 
He was a shrewd man of business.. She told him of 
the suit commenced by Hastings, of her having re- 
tained Gordon, and of his subsequent conduct. 

“ Have you paid him up and notified him that you 
would not require his professional services any fur- 
ther ? ” inquired Mr. La Pierre. 

“ I have not.” 

*‘Why?” 

Because, in the first place, I did not wish to see 
him again. I desire to retain Mr. Grafton, who is by 
far the best lawyer in this section of country. I am 
not acquainted with him; but I know enough of law- 
yers of his standing to be aware that he will not act 
in, the case until Mr. Gordon’s connection with the 
matter has entirely ceased.” 

“ That is true.” 

“ I have also been informed that when Mr. Grafton 
becomes the attorney in the cause instead of Mr. Gor- 
20 


230 


AT swords’ points. 


don it will be necessary for the latter to sign certain 
papers, — a stipulation, I believe they call it, — allow- 
ing the former to be substituted in his place. I could 
not well go myself; neither could I employ Mr. Graf- 
ton until it was done. Your arrival is precisely at 
the right moment: you can now help me out of my 
dilemma.” 

“ I will attend to it to-day,” replied her uncle ; 
^‘and when I request Gordon to sign the stipulation 
I will leave the place blank for the name of the new 
attorney, so that for the present at least he will not 
know who his successor is to be.” 

” That ’s an excellent idea. Gordon and Grafton 
are already on bad terms.” 

” So much the better. Our new man will only exert 
himself the more. After I have settled with Gordon, 
I will call at Grafton’s office and have a talk with 
him. If he suits me, I will request him to come up 
this evening. I desire to see your matters running 
smoothly before I return East. But that villain Hast- 
ings, — he must be looked after.” 

Upon the same day Mr. La Pierre called at Gor- 
don’s office, and said that, owing to circumstances 
which it was unnecessary to refer to, Mrs. Estelroy 
deemed it advisable to employ other counsel ; that 
he was fully authorized to act for her, and desired the 
amount of the lawyer’s bill to that day. Gordon 
gave it, and Mr. La Pierre did not object to the 
amount. 

Before paying the bill, however, he requested the 
attorney to sign the paper which was handed him. 
Gordon replied that it was all right; but, being 


THE NEW ATTORNEY. 23I 

anxious to know who was to succeed him, he inquired 
what name he should insert in the stipulation. 

Mr. La Pierre replied that that was of no impor- 
tance whatever; that as yet Mrs. Estelroy had retained 
no other attorney in the suit ; that when she did so 
there would be ample time to fill in the name. Gor- 
don signed the paper, handed it over, gave a receipt 
for his bill, and took the money. 

Mr. La Pierre next went to Grafton’s office, and 
found him in also. He partially mentioned the ob- 
ject of his visit; but the lawyer, not catching his 
meaning, replied that he could not intermeddle with 
the case, as another attorney was connected with it ; 
neither could he act with him, under the peculiar re- 
lations then existing between them. 

When, however, he was informed that the matter 
was all arranged, and saw the receipt and stipulation 
signed by Gordon, he said he was very glad the 
matter, which was always one of delicacy, had been 
so satisfactorily arranged, and that he no longer felt 
any hesitation in taking charge of the case. 

Mr. La Pierre first asked him a good many ques- 
tions, then gave him an account of Hastings’s suit, 
with Mrs. Estelroy’s and his own views of it, together 
with those which he had of Hastings himself. He 
was very much pleased with the result of the exami- 
nation he had given Grafton, as he called it, invited 
him to call on Mrs. Estelroy that evening, and said to 
her upon his return that she had better retain Grafton 
at once. He did not, he said, arrive at this decision 
from their conversation alone, but from that together 
with his general reputation for ability and integrity. 


232 AT swords’ points. 

Grafton came at the appointed hour, learned all 
that Mrs. Estelroy could tell, saw his name filled into 
the stipulation by Mr. La Pierre, and was instructed 
to proceed as he should think best. 

He had heard nothing of the reasons for Gordon’s 
dismissal from the case ; but from various circum- 
stances he readily arrived at what was very nearly 
the truth. When he looked at his beautiful client, he 
thought that he could not censure Gordon for losing 
his heart. But would he be in danger from her fasci- 
nation? He thought not. At least he would get 
through with this suit before he began one on his own 
account. Pie would not place himself in Gordon’s 
position. 

He was greatly pleased with his new client, and at 
being retained by her in a cause where there was so 
much involved, and where the defence might be so 
difficult. 

The business settled, Mr. La Pierre urged him to 
spend the evening. Mrs. Estelroy joined in the re- 
quest. Of course he consented. He endeavored to 
make himself agreeable, — a matter, as we have seen, 
not difficult with him ; and when he took his leave, 
the lady had formed at least as favorable an opinion 
of his abilities as had her uncle. 

Grafton slept little that night. Do not imagine 
that he was thinking of his fascinating client. Oh, 
no ! Had he had time for that, his thoughts would 
have roved in a different direction and towards the 
river-side. He was thinking about his case. That, 
instead of the lady, had a fascination for him. He 
felt assured there was fraud, at least, in the claim of 


THE NEW ATTORNEY. 


233 


Hastings. Was there anything more? That was for 
him to ascertain ; and he proposed to set about it at 
once. 

Then there was the Estelroy murder prominent in 
his mind, brought up by his strange client. Here 
was work enough for the coming weeks. 

‘‘ I wonder,” he said to himself, “ why a detective 
was never employed to look up the Estelroy case. It 
is very late now to attempt it. Yet we may accom- 
plish a good deal, after all. My old client may help 
us very materially also. Then I need a good man to 
look after this note business in New York. 

The same man will do for both cases, though they 
are of a very different nature; and I know just the 
one to get. He not only understands his business, 
but he was born a detective. He has an intuitive 
knowledge of every fact bearing on a case. He was 
a shrewd youth at five, and before he was ten years 
old was putting up jobs on his school-mates. He has 
an instinctive knowledge of human nature ; and if he 
had adopted the stage, I believe that he would nearly 
have equalled Garrick himself in acting, and in his 
changes of voice, appearance, and form. 

“ He is a ventriloquist, too, and sometimes aston- 
ishes folks. He is the manT want. 

“The majority of these detectives are either hum- 
bugs or swindlers. He is honest. The humbugs are 
a class of fellows generally who have made good 
policemen, have shown ordinary shrewdness in hunt- 
ing after criminals, and have been successful as good 
peace-officers. Then they strike out as detectives, 
and send their cards around as such. 

20 * 


234 


AT swords’ points. 


Now, these men don’t possess the requisites of a 
detective any more than a pig does those of a piper 
because he can make a shrill noise. A good detective 
must be a genius in his way, just as much so as a 
great actor, a great divine, or a great lawyer. 

“ The swindlers are shrewd enough, but they have 
no professional honor. It is said that there is honor 
among thieves ; and there may be. But there is no 
honor among this class of men. A large corporation 
is robbed. These so-called detectives receive big pay 
to catch the robbers, and then go to the robbers and 
divide the plunder with them, agreeing not to tell. 
A fine lot of fellows they are ! 

“ But Munson ’s my man. I can trust him. We 
will track this Mr. Hastings for a few years past, and 
see whether he could have handled that seventy-two 
thousand dollars. I will write him to meet me in 
Chicago. It won’t do for him to come here and have 
his face known. Yes, I’ll write him to meet me on 
the 14th instant. He ’ll be there. After that ’s fixed, 
we will look up the Estelroy case. Perhaps that had 
better be done first, however. There ’s time enough 
to decide.” 

The lawyer sank down in his easy-chair, and, with- 
out going to bed, took a morning nap. 


THE CONSPIRATORS. 


235 


CHAPTER XXXII. 

THE CONSPIRATORS. 

H astings, with his prying ways, soon ascer- 
tained that Grafton had taken Gordon’s place 
as the attorney of Mrs. Estelroy. Here was a rare 
opportunity for further exciting the jealousy and 
hatred of Gordon towards his rival, and for gaining 
still further control over the mind of one whom he 
was rapidly succeeding in leading into his own de- 
praved manner of thought and life. 

He soon found Gordon, and said, — “So it seems 
my prediction has come true ? ’’ 

“ What prediction ? ” 

“ That the fair lady would no longer require your 
services.” 

“ How did you find that out? ” 

“ Oh, I heard of it.” 

“ Did you hear anything else ? ” 

“ Yes ; that your friend, your very particular friend, 
Grafton, has been retained instead.” 

“ The devil take him ! ” exclaimed Gordon. 

“ I hope he may. It will probably be some time 
before that happens, however. I offered at one time, 
you will recollect, to take measures for changing the 
opinion of this community in reference to the im- 
maculate Grafton. You thought I had better not. 
You now see what you have gained by your inter- 
ference.”- 


236 


AT swords’ points. 


“I did not know him so well then as I do at 
present.” 

“ I am aware of that,” replied Hastings. 

“ Is it too late now ? ” 

‘‘ It is. The animus would be so apparent that it 
would readily be traced to its source.” 

“ The fiend ! It seems as if he had been sent here 
to thwart me at every turn and to place himself in my 
way. I had a splendid promise of practice before he 
came here, my chances for the district-attorneyship 
were good until he entered the field, and now he has 
crossed my path again. I could kill him.” 

“Would he fight?” coolly inquired Hastings. 

“ Of course not. He ! — he is too good. I hate 
him, with his morality and cant.” 

“ Hating will accomplish no good of itself. Some- 
thing else must be done.” 

“ I wish, Hastings, you would stop your infernal 
suggestions ! ” 

“ What is the harm of that ? It is fully in accord- 
ance with the code of honor to call a man out and 
shoot him.” 

“ Yes, but it’s against the law.” 

“What of that? No attention would be paid to it 
out here, I imagine. You are quick with a pistol. A 
fortunate shot would rid you of a powerful enemy, 
and you would add to your reputation for spirit and 
bravery.” 

“ But Grafton will not fight. He will reply that it 
is against his principles.” 

“Try him.” 

“ There is no use in trying it at present. -If I were 


THE CONSPIRATORS. 


237 


to assume the aggressive, it might place me in an un- 
pleasant position. He would not fight a duel : that’s 
certain. If attacked, he would defend himself; but 
even then, if I came out ahead, none of the advan- 
tages which you have spoken of would accrue to me.” 

“Take your time. You may get him sufficiently 
aroused to accept a challenge. He is awkward with 
fire-arms, and it will be a safe thing for you. But few 
will be aware of that," however.” 

“ The time,” said Gordon, “ may come. It will not 
be well for him to provoke me too far.” 

“ I can tell you,” said Hastings, “ of a way in which 
you can wound his feelings deeply without the use of 
weapons. You may begin at once; though, to have 
a good effect upon him, you had better let him pro- 
ceed a little further.” 

“To what do you refer?” inquired Gordon. 

“ Grafton is in love.” 

“ Indeed ! But what of that ? ” 

“There is a very fine opportunity to checkmate 
him, and to obtain thereby some slight revenge for 
the many injuries you have suffered at his hands. 
Besides, the lady is a prize, if you can win her.” 

“ Who is she ?” 

“ Miss Rivers,” replied Hastings. “ What have you 
been doing with your eyes lately?” 

“ I have had other matters than Grafton’s courtships 
to occupy my attention. But I thought you had an 
eye on that lady ?” 

“ Well, I did think at one time a summer flirtation 
with her would be pleasant ; but I intended that, as 
well as what I said to you about Miss Rivers, to divert 
attention from the real object of my devotion. 


238 AT swords’ points. 

I tell you, Gordon, I have led a wild and check- 
ered life. Some other time I may, if you desire it, 
give you a full account of it. Early influences had a 
hardening effect. I ripened early. You would not 
think that one like me could be controlled by a life- 
long passion. So it is, however. But for the fair 
mistress of Estelroy Place I might to-day have been 
a different sort of a man. She is the only woman that 
I ever loved; and I loved her passionately, desper- 
ately. For a time I received every encouragement. 
That only made- the disappointment, when it came, 
the more bitter. 

“ Her father took a dislike to me. He was a harsh 
and tyrannical old fellow, and put a stop to the whole 
affair. Estelroy came along afterwards, and married 
her.” 

“ Then Estelroy was not the cause of your being 
rejected ?” 

“ Oh, no. The old man sent me off before either 
of them ever saw Estelroy.” 

“ And now you believe you have the means to sub- 
due her haughty spirit,” said Gordon. 

“Yes,” replied Hastings, “ the Fates seem propi- 
tious to me just now. My love has never grown 
cool. I have a clear field, though it may be a very 
difficult one. You were my rival the other day; but 
I imagine you do not intend to press your suit any 
further in that direction, else it would be stupid in me 
to lay all my plans before you. Am I correct ? ” 

“ I renounce all my interest in the affair.” 

“You shall then see what I can accomplish in the 
course of time. I will weave such a net around her 


THE CONSPIRATORS. 


239 


that she will be glad to surrender. Her proud scorn 
may then be wreaked upon others. I think she will 
not show it to me. How different a man I might 
have been could I have won her ten years ago, God 
only knows. She either lacked the spirit or the in- 
clination to resist her father.” 

“You could not have made the acquaintance of 
Mabehthen.” 

“No; that would have been one pleasure lost, at 
least,” Hastings answered. “ I think I could have 
foregone it, however. By the way, have you looked 
over all the papers in Mabel’s suit ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Are they voluminous ? ” 

“ Quite so.” 

“ And how do you find them ? ” 

“ Not a technical error or flaw to be discovered in 
them, so far.” 

“ Then the suit will probably come off next term ? ” 
inquired Hastings. 

“ Probably, unless this is intended for another 
scare.” 

“ I think they mean business now,” said Hastings. 

“ They have certainly retained a good fighting firm 
of lawyers to sue you.” 

“ I am aware of that also ; but I don’t allow it to 
trouble me.” 

“Well, do you wish the trial of the case put off or 
urged right on ? ” asked Gordon. 

“ That is a matter yet to be determined upon. It 
may interfere with the objects of my other suits on 
those notes. What is the prospect of having that 
disposed of next term ? ” 


240 


AT swords’ point 


I think it is good, — decidedly so.” 

“ And what does the complaint in Mabel’s case set 
forth about me ? ” 

It is drawn,” Gordon replied, “ about as strong as 
any that I have ever seen.” ^ 

“ But what are the charges ? ” 

“ Breach of promise, with seduction, in aggrava- 
tion of damages, together with all the other counts, 
charges, woes, afflictions, sufferings, deceptions, and 
false and broken oaths, vows, and protestations, there- 
unto in any manner appertaining.” 

“ And all this must go before the court ? ” 

“ Certainly.” 

And what are my chances for a defence, after all 
that I have told you ? ” 

“ Rather slim, I think,” answered the lawyer. 
**That is to say, provided they make out any kind 
of a case and Mabel is even half as handsome as you 
represent her to be. Beauty in tears, as you once ex- 
pressed it, is what takes with a jury.” 

Your remarks are not very encouraging.” 

I but speak the truth. Law and logic do not 
count for anything upon such occasions.” 

“You would advise me to compromise, then?” 

“ Not yet. Keep cool, just as you have done, and 
appear to care nothing for it. Money is what they 
are after now. When our answer is filed, they will 
very shortly show their hand. They will probably 
think you have given me instructions in reference to 
a settlement, and will write to me first. I can then 
reply in a way that will not compromise you in the 
least.” 


THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE. 


241 


“ That is the best plan,” said Hastings. “ We had 
better, however, until we know just what they propose 
to do, make every arrangement to have the suit with 
Mrs. Estelroy pressed for trial and the case with 
Mabel postponed. The Lady Camelia, as I once 
called her, has a high spirit and a devil of a temper. 
If the affair with Mabel were to leak out before I 
effect a compromise with Mrs. Estelroy, I fear my 
designs would never be accomplished. I will go at 
once and see Judge Rowe about that suit.” 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE. 

I T was generally reported in Glen Lynn that Miss 
Rivers and Mr. Grafton were engaged. Then a 
counter-report gained circulation, that Grafton and 
Mrs. Estelroy were very intimate, and that there was 
a more immediate prospect of a match there. 

Grafton was unable to ascertain the source of this 
story. It seemed to have been started in many 
quarters, and especially where Miss Rivers would be 
certain to hear of it. The rumors were repeated to 
Hastings, who heard them with apparent surprise, 
but then stated in confidence that he should not be 
much astonished at anything the lawyer did, particu- 
larly among the ladies, whether it was being engaged 
to more than one at a time, or something worse. 

21 Q 


242 AT swords’ POINTS. 

He intimated that there was more lying back of 
this than any of them supposed ; that when a person 
like Grafton became altogether too good to be sociable 
and entertaining, it was enough to raise a presump- 
tion against him as a polished hypocrite. 

Gordon had acted the part assigned’ him by Hast- 
ings with great discretion. He had succeeded in 
making Mr. Rivers and his niece believe that he was 
a disinterested friend- of Grafton. Hence, when the 
time arrived for the attack on the latter, Gordon was 
in a position to accomplish far more by insinuation 
and innuendo than any one else could by stating 
facts and telling a straightforward story. 

Grafton had simply treated Mrs. Estelroy with the 
attention due a good client in her position. He had 
never thought of anything further. He was too de- 
votedly attached to Florence Rivers. Mrs. Estelroy 
liked Grafton ; he was polite, gentlemanly, and pleas- 
ing; and he did not trouble her with business matters 
more than was necessary. 

He never departed, as Gordon had done, from a 
manner strictly professional. He always seemed to 
her like the same shrewd and easy man of business. 
She never felt in his presence that there was the 
slightest danger of his changing from the counsellor 
to the admirer. 

Under other circumstances, she might have fallen 
in love with Grafton ; but her own sufferings were too 
poignant, and of too recent origin, to allow her to 
entertain, except for her children, any stronger feel- 
ings than those of ordinary friendship. More than 
two years had elapsed since the death of her husband. 


THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE. 243 

Time had to a slight extent blunted the edge of her 
anguish. She occasionally appeared at small social 
gatherings, but never at large parties or at balls. As 
time passed on, she became more resigned and cheer- 
ful ; but her sentiments towards her departed husband 
never changed. In after-life she received, at least, 
two brilliant offers of marriage, but she declined 
them positively, and ever remained true to his 
memory. 

But the malice of Hastings and Gordon could not 
even spare her feelings, and, in order to effect their 
object, they hesitated not to connect her name with 
that of one who was believed to be already engaged 
to another. 

Mrs. Estelroy was highly gratified when she was 
told that Grafton and Miss Rivers were betrothed. 
She esteemed Grafton highly, and she admired the 
bright and charming girl. She thought it would 
prove an excellent match on many accounts, and 
especially because while the husband would exert a 
beneficial influence over his high-spirited, generous, 
but wayward wife, she would bring an unusual por- 
tion of sunshine, gayety, and happiness to his fireside, 
and would drive from it all the gloom and despond- 
ency that, in spite of us, frequently hover around our 
pathway. 

One evening a small and select party was given in 
Glen Lynn. Hastings was not invited. Gordon was 
present. Miss Rivers accompanied her uncle and 
aunt there. Grafton arrived rather late, and saw 
Mrs. Estelroy just alighting from her carriage. 

As a matter of course, he entered the house with 


244 at swords’ points. 

her, and at her suggestion accompanied her into the 
parlors. Gordon gave utterance to a malicious re- 
mark in a tone just loud enough for Miss Rivers to 
hear it. At the time, however, she did not perceive 
the malice. Some one replied carelessly that Grafton 
appeared to be progressing well in that quarter, and 
another observed that a handsomer couple than that 
which had just entered the parlor could not be found 
in Glen Lynn. 

Miss Rivers attempted to suppress the pangs of 
jealousy which she felt as she gazed at Mrs. Estel- 
roy. There, standing before her, was certainly the 
most beautiful woman, according to her views, that 
she had ever seen. Her dress of partial mourning 
became her well, and, as Miss Rivers expressed it, 
her sufferings had etherealized her former command- 
ing and magnificent beauty. 

Was it to be wondered at if Grafton were charmed? 
But he was the soul of honor. Would he dare to 
propose to her, and then, if he were untrue, pay 
attentions to her rival in public and before her own 
face.? The idea seemed preposterous. She censured 
herself for entertaining it, or being in the least degree 
jealous, and when Grafton came up she greeted him 
cordially. 

She had no reason to complain of lack of attention 
on the part of her lover for the rest of the evening. 
But her mind unfortunately had a natural leaning 
towards jealousy, at least in matters that were to her 
of vital importance. 

Upon the following morning, when her uncle ral- 
lied her on the fine appearance of Grafton and Mrs. 


THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE. 245 

Estelroy the night before, he was surprised at her 
exhibition of temper. She again censured herself, 
and resolved not to be so foolish in future. She be- 
lieved that the matter was ended ; but there was still 
an impression upon her mind which made her more 
sensitive upon the subject than at first; for a wound, 
however slight, whether of a mental or of a physical 
nature, is rarely so thoroughly healed as not to leave 
a tender spot as a memento of the suffering. 

A few evenings afterwards Gordon called. He 
spoke of the recent party and of the pleasant time 
they had enjoyed, and then very delicately referred 
to the comments occasioned by the appearance 
together of Mrs. Estelroy and Mr. Grafton. He 
had no difficulty in seeing that the matter was one 
of interest to his fair companion ; and when he re- 
marked, as though casually, that Grafton was very 
attentive in that quarter, and that he, as one of his 
friends and well-wishers, hoped he might be success- 
ful in his suit. Miss Rivers’s embarrassment, though 
it appeared but slight (for she possessed an admirable 
control of herself), satisfied Gordon that all of his 
inferences were correct, and that their shafts, whether 
fired from an ambush or openly, were hitting the 
mark. 

After Gordon had left. Miss Rivers retired to her 
room and gave way to a burst of passionate tears. 
She was too proud to mention the subject to either 
her uncle or her aunt. 

Gordon did nothing further for two or three weeks. 
He said to Hastings that matters were working well 
enough. 

21* 


246 


AT swords’ points. 


Occasionally the question of Grafton’s attachment 
to Mrs. Estelroy was discussed before Miss Rivers. 
She could now control herself, after a few efforts, per- 
fectly ; and she allowed no one to perceive that she 
was either pained or annoyed ; but she frequently 
indulged in fits of weeping after these visits were 
concluded. 

Gordon soon saw that something was troubling 
her seriously, and he well knew the cause. He de- 
cided that the time was ripe for further action, and 
proceeded accordingly. 

Grafton also saw that something serious was affect- 
ing the health, as he feared, or at least the spirits, of 
her whom he regarded as his betrothed ; but when 
he questioned her upon the subject, he could obtain 
no satisfactory answer. 

The fact that she was thus sad and preoccupied so 
soon after his proposal did not serve to make him 
either very sanguine or very cheerful. He consoled 
himself with the reflection that in a short time, when 
mutual promises had been exchanged, he would have 
a right to press his. inquiries further and to receive 
more definite replies. 

As for the young lady herself, her time was about 
equally occupied in censuring Grafton and Mrs. Es- 
telroy and in reviewing her own conduct and think- 
ing what a fool she was making of herself She was 
about to form a resolution to pay no attention to what 
she heard, and to give Grafton all proper encourage- 
ment, when a greater trouble loomed up in the dis- 
tance. 


MISS ALICE MORTON. 


247 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 

MISS ALICE MORTON. 

H astings, believing that the affairs in Glen 
Lynn in which he was interested were in good 
condition, concluded to pay another visit to some of 
his friends East. 

Among these was a gentleman named Morton. 
His business was that of a merchant. He had done 
Hastings many favors, and, not reading his character 
fully, entertained a very strong liking for him, and 
•Hastings entertained for the merchant an attachment 
about as disinterested as he could feel for any one. 

They had formed an acquaintance when travelling 
together. Hastings had been taken very ill on the 
road, and Morton, delaying his own journey, cared 
for and attended his friend in the kindest manner 
until he was convalescent, and then took him to his 
own house, where he insisted upon Hastings remain- 
ing until he was completely recovered. 

He was profuse in his protestations of gratitude 
when leaving, and solemnly promised to make any 
sacrifices for his friend should occasion ever offer. 

At the time of Hastings’s illness Mr. Morton had 
a daughter, a very pretty child of twelve or thirteen 
years. She was a great favorite with Hastings dur- 
ing his convalescence, and, as he well understood the 
art of making himself agreeable to children as well 
as to older people, and was profuse in his gifts to her, 
she became exceedingly fond of him, and mourned 
over his departure. 


248 


AT swords’ points. 


From that period a cordial friendship had existed, 
or at least seemed to exist, between Hastings and 
Morton. They met frequently at various places, and 
occasionally at the home of the latter; but Hastings 
did not see Miss Alice Morton for some years (she 
being absent at school), — not, in fact, until the time 
mentioned at the opening of this chapter. 

Then he went to spend some days with his friend. 
Hardly realizing the number of years that had passed 
away since seeing her, he was surprised to find what 
a change had come over the daughter of his host, 
and that she had grown from a pretty child into a 
bewitching young lady. 

Her beauty was of precisely the kind to awaken in 
a man like Hastings the strongest passions and.unho- 
liest desires. Little recked he whether he violated 
the laws of hospitality and friendship or not. 

Miss Morton met her former acquaintance with 
considerable shyness. She remembered him well ; 
nor could she perceive that he was at all changed 
by the lapse of years. He seemed as young, as 
careless, as jovial, as witty, and as entertaining as 
ever. 

Hastings at once accommodated himself to the 
changes that had taken place, and treated Miss Morton 
with all the deference due to a young lady. He was 
too shrewd to presume upon their old-time acquaint- 
ance. His courteous air and kind attentions pleased 
and flattered her. She had imagined that he would 
still look upon her as a child and playmate. 

He insisted, however, upon resuming his former 
right of giving presents. To this, it being an old 


MISS ALICE MORTON. 


249 


habit of his, she did not object. So he gave her some 
rare jewels, of which he had learned that she was 
particularly fond. 

Miss Morton had at this time already seen a good 
deal of society, and had received a large portion of 
admiration ; but most of the gentlemen she had met 
were young, bashful, and awkward, as compared with 
her present admirer. He was never embarrassed, 
or ill at ease, or obliged to make efforts to keep 
up the conversation ; and he thoroughly understood 
the art of flattery. 

They went to a party together, and Miss Morton 
remarked to her mother, on her return home, that at 
the party she felt quite relieved whenever Mr. Hast- 
ings came and spoke to her, for with many of her 
partners and acquaintances it was difficult to keep up 
a conversation. They seemed to expect her to do all 
the talking. 

But with him it was very different. He bore the 
entire burden of the conversation. She could con- 
verse or not, as she chose. If she spoke, the most 
profound attention was paid to what she said. If she 
remained silent, she experienced none of those un- 
pleasant sensations which are so often felt by young 
people who are uncomfortably conscipus that they 
should say something, yet cannot think of anything 
to talk about. 

After Miss Morton had given an account of the 
party, her mother cautioned her against attaching 
any importance to the attentions of Hastings. 

“ He is a friend of your father, and would not, I 
believe, do anything wrong. But he is a man of the 


250 


AT swords’ points. 


world, and may do many things which, if they came 
from one of the young men of our village, would show 
that he was in earnest in his attentions to you, but 
which coming from Mr. Hastings should receive little 
attention, as they have no significance. Mr. Hastings 
may like you ; but in all probability you are one of 
the last persons he would think of for a wife.” 

“Why so?” inquired the daughter, with some 
asperity. 

“ Because you are little more than an unsophis- 
ticated country-girl.” 

“ Indeed, mamma, if this had been said by any 
other than you, I would speak my mind very freely. 
I have seen a good deal of the world ; and the town 
we reside in is no ordinary country village, as you 
are well aware.” 

“You have seen very little of the world, however, 
compared with what a gentleman like Mr. Hastings 
has seen.” 

“ That may be,” replied Miss Morton ; “ but is not 
every other young lady whom he may meet in pre- 
cisely the same situation? -However, I am not espe- 
cially struck with Mr. Hastings, as you seem to 
suppose. I have not been trying to charm him. I 
would not wish to marry my grandfather.” 

She swept out of the room, with a determination 
to show her mother whether or not she had the 
power to captivate a man like Hastings. She re- 
solved at the same time that she would not in the 
least thing be forward. If, therefore, he should make 
any approaches, she would at first affect to care very 
little, if anything, for him. 


MISS ALICE MORTON. 


251 


Hastings was gratified at the cordial manner in 
which he had been treated by Miss Morton, but he 
soon found that he must proceed with the greatest 
caution towards the accomplishment of his designs. 

His presents were accepted; his attentions and deli- 
cate flatteries seemed to aflbrd pleasure ; but the in- 
stant he approached in the slightest degree the prin- 
cipal objects of his thoughts, she would avoid him 
like a startled deer. 

He preferred being absent from Glen Lynn if any 
trouble should occur between Florence Rivers and 
Harold Grafton. He thought that in that case there 
would be less danger of his agency in the plot being 
discovered. 

He flattered himself that he had made a very favor- 
able impression upon Miss Alice Morton, — an im- 
pression that could not easily be effaced. He con- 
cluded that it was not at all desirable to proceed too 
rapidly ; but that after a few weeks of absence Miss 
Morton would regard him in a more favorable light 
than ever, and, consequently, he would depart and 
visit other friends for a season. 

Her conduct at their parting was at least gratifying. 


252 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XXXV. 

MUNSON AND GRAFTON. 

M eanwhile, Grafton was actively employed 
with his criminal cases and other professional 
business. He was devoting especial attention to 
Mrs. Estelroy’s suit with Hastings about the notes. 
He was also doing what he could to obtain informa- 
tion that might lead to the discovery and apprehen- 
sion of the murderer or murderers of Estelroy.. 

He had seen the detective Munson and set him to 
work. At first the reports from that officer were 
unfavorable. Subsequently his letters assumed a 
more cheerful tone. He wrote that he believed the 
question to be tried upon the notes would be a very 
close one, but that he had ascertained some facts 
through which the case might be made to turn in 
their favor. 

Soon after this he wrote that in another quarter he 
had made a discovery relative to Estelroy that would 
astonish Grafton ; not that it had any bearing upon 
Hastings’s conduct, however, or upon the result of 
the suit. 

Again he wrote that he was still making discov- 
eries ; that he did not dare to commit them to paper ; 
that he would soon be able to meet Mr. Grafton at 
Chicago, where they could have an opportunity to 
consider his report and to consult together. 

Grafton was at the summit of expectation. The 
days and hours began to assume unusual length, as 


MUNSON AND GRAFTON. 


253 


he waited for Munson. He told Mrs. Estelroy that 
the skies were wearing a brighter hue and that she 
had good cause to feel cheerful and encouraged. 

He tried to pass the time during which he felt so 
anxious in working harder than ever in his profession, 
and in the society of Florence Rivers. But his visits 
to her, strange as it seemed to him, did not afford him 
the anticipated pleasure, though there was a- fascina- 
tion about them and he could not remain away. 

He was received by the different members of the 
family with all their customary kindness and cordial- 
ity. Miss Rivers succeeded in concealing from her 
lover the jealousies that began to torment her, for she 
continually heard of his attentions to Mrs. Estelroy, 
praises of her surpassing beauty, and statements that 
Grafton was the only gentleman to whom since her 
husband’s death she had deigned to show any espe- 
cial consideration. 

When he urged her to tell him the reason of the 
change in her appearance and the cause of her occa- 
sional sadness (for, despite all her care, these could 
not escape him), she would answer vaguely that her 
health was not so good as usual, but that he need not 
give himself the slightest uneasiness on the subject, 
as she \vould soon be better. 

This was not satisfactory to him ; but he could ob- 
tain no other explanation. 

As this trouble, though yet so slight, appeared, it 
awakened all the tender emotions of his heart. The 
idea of the loved one passing from his possession 
when he had felt so certain of her caused him the 
most acute suffering. 

22 


254 


AT swords’ points. 


It did him no good to argue to himself that her 
manner was unchanged, and that her health could 
not be seriously affected. There was something aris- 
ing between them, — he could not say what. Its very 
vagueness increased his anguish. He had never be- 
fore been a victim of the tender passion, and resigna- 
tion was not one of his virtues. Like Miss Rivers, 
he silently nursed his grief. 

He had one relief, however. As the way had been 
opened by his proposal, he felt less hesitancy about 
expressing his sentiments ; although he was careful 
not to annoy her with his persistency. 

At times, however, when in her society, his pent- 
up feeling would find expression, and he would speak 
with such earnestness, pathos, and passion as to sur- 
prise as well as gratify the object of his love. At 
such times all doubt, suspicion, and jealousy fled from 
her breast. She had not dreamt that the cool-headed 
lawyer could love so passionately or express himself 
so well. It was impossible that he could be deceptive 
or false. 

On the following day, perchance, she would see 
Mrs. Estelroy. She could not help admiring the regal 
beauty of that lady. Had she known all that was 
passing in her mind, she would no longer havfe enter- 
tained any sentiments of jealousy. Or had her pride 
allowed her to tell Grafton a little of what was troub- 
ling her, he would have given her such indubitable 
proof of the groundlessness of her suspicions as to 
place her mind upon that point forever at rest. 

While Gordon was losing ground in the estimation 
of many of the first citizens of Glen Lynn, on account 


MUNSON AND GRAFTON. 


255 


of his conduct in certain causes in which he had been 
employed, Grafton was steadily reaping the reward, 
or rather the natural results, of his high and honora- 
ble course. 

He had implicitly followed the rules laid down by 
himself when he began the practice of law. In many 
instances he had lost retainers and counsel-fees by 
so doing; but gradually his integrity and upright 
manner of dealing came to be appreciated. People 
felt secure under his guidance. They saw that courts 
and judges reposed especial confidence in him and 
always were attentive when he had anything to say. 

He was therefore retained by the best clients and 
in most of the best cases in his county. He had suc- 
ceeded well as the prosecuting attorney. Criminals 
rarely escaped him. His name became a terror to 
evil-doers, and the town and county, though situated 
so near the borders of civilization, gained a wide 
reputation for their observance of law and order. 

Grafton was not over-strict in his rules of life. No 
one but Hastings ever intimated that he was a hypo- 
crite. He was, however, strictly moral in all matters ; 
though his chief care was for his professional character. 

At the time of which we are writing, he frequently 
said to himself that there were now but three matters 
to trouble him. One of these, however, was of vital 
importance. That was to discover the cause of the 
cloud or shadow that appeared to be arising between 
himself and Florence Rivers. 

The others were fhe duty of unravelling the mystery 
of the Estelroy murder, and that of properly defend- 
ing the suit brought by Hastings against Mrs. Estel- 
roy upon the six notes. 


256 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


In the latter case, the letters of Munson had some- 
what encouraged him. He had no question of the 
justice of his client’s cause, or of the rascality of 
Hastings. Still, he viewed the case as a desperate 
one, and one in which if he were defeated the greatest 
wrong and injustice would be done his client. 

Therefore it was necessary that he should be more 
than usually watchful. In what particular form the 
villany of Hastings would manifest itself he had so 
far been unable precisely to conceive. But it must 
come out upon the trial, if not before. Upon that he 
was determined. 

He consoled himself slightly with the thought that, 
whatever might be the result, his success in all these 
matters would soon be known ; and that he should 
fail in all seemed impossible. 

Should he succeed only in the first, how rare would 
be his happiness! and if in all, he felt that he could 
not well ask for anything further. 


PROGRESS IN EVIL. 


257 


A 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 

PROGRESS IN EVIL. 

D uring Hastings’s absence Gordon called at 
the office of Judge Rowe, to talk over with 
him several matters of business. 

The Judge was glad to see Gordon. He had 
watched the course of the young lawyer with not a 
little interest. He had observed his deviation from 
those straight and honorable paths in which he had 
at first so firmly resolved to pursue his course. 

As the result was fully in accordance with his pre- 
dictions and advice, he was rather pleased with it. 
To such a man Grafton was a mystery; and that 
Grafton should succeed so remarkably well puzzled 
him greatly. 

“Well, Gordon,’’ said the Judge, “your calls are 
certainly like the visits of the angels. You are wel- 
come. To what remarkable occurrence am I indebted 
for this unexpected pleasure ? ’’ 

“ Nothing remarkable, my dear Judge,’’ replied 
Gordon. “ For the past week I have not been so 
busy as usual, and am consequently looking up some 
old matters, and dropping in occasionally on my 
friends.” 

“ That’s right. You won the Repton case, I hear.” 
“Yes, after a hard and persistent fight.” 

“Well,” said Ihe Judge, “that shows what pluck, 
perseverance, and, more than all, genius, will accom- 
22 * R 


AT swords’ points. 


258 

plish as opposed to all the rules of law and of jus- 
tice.” 

“ Indeed ! ” said Gordon ; “ your remarks are rather 
peculiar. Am I to take them as a compliment or as 
a criticism ? ” 

“ As a compliment, most assuredly, my dear fellow. 
You have simply been acting on the advice I gave 
you some three years ago, and in a most brilliant 
manner, too.” 

“ Thank you,” said Gordon. “ It does one good to 
win such a cause as that. There is twice as much 
pleasure as in gaining one that is straight and easy.” 

“That is true,” said the Judge; “but,” he con- 
tinued, with a sly look, “ it does not precisely accord 
with the code of ethics laid down some time since by 
a certain young friend of mine.” 

“ Your friend was then very young and inex- 
perienced,” said Gordon, smiling. “ I recollect the 
conversation to which you refer. Your advice was 
good ; and my friend Hastings has assisted materially 
in curing me of some of my strange and impractical 
ideas.” 

“ Yes, I imagined that you were getting bravely 
over them when I heard your argument in the Repton 
case. That client of yours is a shrewd fellow.” 

“ He is, indeed,” replied Gordon. “ Had it not 
been for his coolness and sagacity, I should not have 
succeeded so well.” 

“ He understands looking after his own interests,” 
remarked Judge Rowe. “ Have you not found out 
by tjiis time that what I told you is true, — that the 
most desperate cases pay the best, and that members 


PROGRESS IN EVIL. 259 

of our profession cannot afford to be too punc- 
tilious?” 

“You hit the nail exactly on the head,” answered 
Gordon ; “ for by the course I had laid out I should 
have lost half my practice.” 

“We need to be cautious,” said the Judge, “but 
not sentimental.” 

“ To change the subject somewhat,” said Gordon, 
“ how are you getting on with the case of Hastings 
against Estelroy ? ” 

“ Finely, sir, finely. We are sure to win.” 

“ I am glad to hear that. I may be able to give 
you some assistance in the matter.” 

“ Indeed ! ” said the Judge, with some surprise. “ I 
thought you were retained in the case at one time.” 

“ So I was ; but you need not look astonished. 
As you have said, we cannot afford to be too punc- 
tilious. I was discharged in a manner that relieves 
me from all obligation. I am no longer in the case. 
Hastings is a friend of mine, and I wish him to suc- 
ceed ; Grafton is an enemy, whom I very much desire 
to see defeated.” 

A gleam of contempt shot from the eyes of the 
Judge. “ He is coming on rapidly,” he thought. 
“ To stand by one’s client through thick and thin, is 
one thing ; to betray him, however badly he may have 
treated you, is another. There must be something 
lying back of all this.” 

“ Well,” he resumed, in his usual tone, “ this is a 
case that I am especially anxious to win. Every 
man must be the keeper of his own honor. I have 
nothing to advise. Of course, if you have anything 


26 o 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


that you think proper to communicate, I shall be glad 
to hear it.” • 

“ I have thought the matter over,” replied Gordon, 
coolly, “ and I can see nothing unprofessional in tell- 
ing you of certain facts.” 

“ What are they ? ” 

** Mrs. Estelroy denies that her husband ever had 
any business transactions with Hastings, or that he 
ever was indebted to him ; and Hastings feared that 
he could prove it only by his own testimony. Before 
the trial comes off, I will tell you where to find evi- 
dence that will settle that question ; and I can also 
assist you further.” 

Judge Rowe attempted to be as affable and chatty 
as ever; but Gordon noticed a change in his manner. 
Notwithstanding his shrewdness, he was too far 
blinded by his desire for revenge to attribute it to its 
•true cause. He thought it probable that the Judge 
was engaged in looking up some intricate and annoy- 
ing case, and did not wish to be disturbed for any 
length of time. For this reason he soon afterwards 
took his leave. 

There was at this time residing in Glen Lynn a Miss 
•Mary Lester, a young lady of kind heart and of a 
prepossessing appearance. Gordon had latterly paid 
her a good deal of.attention, and was obtaining not a 
little influence over her. He really cared very little for 
her; but, as she was an intimate friend of Miss Flor- 
ence Rivers, he hoped through her regard for himself 
to carry on more secretly and successfully his plots 
against Mr. Grafton. 

On the other hand. Miss Lester thought that his 
advances were made in good faith. 


PROGRESS IN EVIL. 261 

Gordon was aware that it would be very indiscreet 
for him to appear interested in the rumors circulating 
against Grafton, or to pour into the ears of a girl so 
shrewd and quick and jealous as Miss Rivers any of 
the stories that he and Hastings had invented. 

Miss Lester was, consequently, in his opinion, just 
the person whose acquaintance he should cultivate ; 
and thus far he had succeeded admirably. He 
thought he could not better close the day on which 
he had seen Judge Rowe than by calling upon this 
young lady, to ascertain as far as possible what the 
state of affairs was between Mr. Grafton and Miss 
Rivers, what rumors, if any, Miss Lester had heard, 
and what information she would be inclined to carry 
to the ear of her friend. 

He found her at home, and, as usual, happy to see 
him. The evening passed very pleasantly. The 
young lady, however, was not disposed to reveal any- 
thing that her friend had imparted to her in confi- 
dence. Gordon approached the subject very cau- 
tiously. He learned that while Miss Lester was cer- 
tain that Grafton was very much in earnest, she did 
not know that any understanding had been arrived at 
between himself and Miss Rivers. 

She did not think they were engaged. They might 
be, however. She was certain that something had 
recently arisen to disturb them, but she could not say 
what it was. She hoped it would all pass over, as she 
believed that it would be an excellent match. 

As the reader may imagine, Gordon was not pleased 
at this view of the case ; but he was not thrown off 
his- guard. 


262 


AT swords’ POrNTS. 


He expressed feelings of warm friendship and high 
esteem for Grafton, and said that he deeply regretted 
that false reports should be put in circulation against 
one so generous and noble. 

Miss Lester was startled. She had heard nothing 
of such reports, and inquired as to their nature. 

Gordon replied that he was surprised, as he had 
heard them in several places. Most of them, he said, 
were simply to the effect that the gentleman was 
fickle in his attachments, and that his conduct in 
some instances had been heartless. Recently, how- 
ever, he had received information from a very sin- 
gular source that Grafton had a wife then living in 
the East. 

Miss Lester exclaimed that it was very shocking. 

Gordon replied that it was indeed. If the report 
should prove true, he said, Grafton was unpardon- 
able; he hoped some intimate friend of his would 
speak to him about it and give him an opportunity to 
refute these slanders, as he had not the slightest 
doubt he would be able to do. He scarcely felt at 
liberty to speak with him upon the subject himself, 
for, though they were good friends, they were not 
very intimate. 

Gordon did not suggest to Miss Lester to inform 
her friend of these rumors, but said she ought to know 
of them if she really cared for Grafton. As Miss Les- 
ter accepted this view, he said nothing further upon 
the subject during the evening, hoping that if his 
arrows shot somewhat at random a portion would hit 
the mark for which they were intended. 


THE PLOT THICKENS. 


263 


CHAPTER XXXVII. 

THE PLOT THICKENS. 

M ISS LESTER called very soon upon her friend 
Miss Rivers, and imparted to her the substance 
of Gordon’s communications. The latter was upon 
her guard, and apparently cared little for the rumors 
in circulation. 

She urged her friend, however, to declare from what 
source she had received the information. This Miss 
Lester declined to do; but she remarked that while 
she believed the stories about Mr. Grafton were false, 
it was singular that there should be so many of 
them if there were no foundation for them to rest 
upon. 

This was precisely what Miss Rivers had thought. 
The fact was, there were not many stories being told, 
nor were they extensively circulated. They were 
started for the ear of one young lady solely, and were 
repeated only where Gordon believed that that young 
lady would be sure to hear them ; and it was a long 
time before even the friends of Grafton heard any of 
the rumors concerning him. 

A few days prior to Miss Lester’s visit. Miss Rivers 
had arrived at the conclusion that the stories were 
false, that she was very foolish to allow them to annoy 
her or to excite her jealousy, and that she would be 
glad when the time should arrive for her to give an 
answer to Grafton. Then she could talk with him 


264 


AT swords’ points. 


freely; he could explain all, and her spirit would be 
at rest. 

But Miss Lester’s information aroused once more 
the feelings which had been so nearly laid at rest. 
Why these reports, she could not help asking herself, 
if there was nothing upon which to base them ? And 
in pondering this questiomshe soon allowed herself 
to become very miserable. 

A short time after this, she received a note through 
the office, in a disguised hand, without signature or 
date, which read as follows : 

“A true friend of Miss Florence Rivers would 
respectfully suggest that she inquire of Mr. Grafton 
whether his engagement with Miss Langley has been 
broken off.” 

On the following day, she found in her room a 
piece of white paper, which she was about to throw 
into the stove, when she saw some writing on it that 
startled her. It was not addressed to any one, and 
was in these words : 

“ Mr. Grafton, as usual, spends nearly all his even- 
ings at Estelroy Place.” 

As the lady was over-sensitive upon this point, her 
jealousy was aroused to a high degree. 

A few days elapsed, and then came another note, 
in the handwriting of the first. It read as follows : 

“ Your friend would suggest that you ask Mr. Graf- 
ton if he is not well acquainted with a certain Mrs. 

Tresham, of city, where Mr. Grafton formerly 

resided.” 

The next week another came : 


THE PLOT THICKENS. 


265 


“ Do you know whether or not Mr. Grafton has a 
wife living in the East ? The writer of this knows a 
lady who, if she is not the wife of Mr. Grafton, cer- 
tainly ought to be.” 

Miss Rivers was now in a condition of passion and 
despair. At first her strongest feelings were those of 
animosity against the writers of these notes, who she 
felt were meddling with affairs not their own, and 
who, whatever might be their feelings towards her, 
were prompted by pure malice against Grafton. 

She wished she had some one to ferret out her 
anonymous tormentors and avenge her wrongs upon 
them. The last note gave the most cruel blow of all, 
and if the writer of it had but been in her power she 
would for the time have forgotten all the promptings 
of mercy. 

What should she do ? she asked herself. She cer- 
tainly could not mention this matter to Grafton; for 
if she did, she thought, she would alienate his affec- 
tions forever. Then might not these parties, although 
actuated by malice towards him, be prompted by 
friendly feelings towards herself, and by a wish to 
prevent her from inextricably interweaving her fate 
with that of one who was unworthy of her? 

Should she consult her uncle ? He would believe 
nothing ill of Grafton, and would only laugh at her 
as being foolish. 

She decided that she must rely upon herself, and 
that prompt action must be taken. She could not 
bear this anxiety and tantalizing suspense any longer. 
She would ascertain whether he visited Mrs. Estelroy 
so frequently. But who, she inquired of herself, was 
23 


266 


AT swords’ points. 


this Mrs. Treshani? The note about her was as in- 
definite as the rest, except that it contained the name 
of a person and of a place. Was she the person re- 
ferred to in the last note ? 

Fortunately, she had in that very place a cousin 
upon whom she could rely. She would not tell him 
how deeply she loved Grafton : she would only say 
that his attentions were becoming rather marked. 
But she desired him to learn all that he could of 
Grafton’s antecedents and habits while living there ; 
also who Mrs. Tresham was, what was her character, 
and what had been her relations with Grafton. 

This cousin w^ls an honest and rather shrewd busi- 
ness man, but, unfortunately, like Miss Rivers, he was 
inclined to be very suspicious and jealous. The re- 
ceipt of such a commission pleased him. He could 
fully appreciate the young lady’s feelings upon the 
subject. 

The very fact that such rumors were in circulation 
was sufficient to bias him against Grafton, and to 
make him resolve that if there was anything to be 
unearthed against the young lawyer he would un- 
earth it. 

Starting out with these impressions to make his in- 
quiries, he was not long in becoming convinced that 
Mrs. Tresham’s character was none of the best, and 
that Mr. Grafton’s acquaintance with and treatment 
of her had been very peculiar. All this he wrote to 
his cousin, in order to prepare her mind for what 
might follow. 

He finally decided to call on Mrs. Tresham, and 
devised what he thought to be a very shrewd plan to 
lead her to converse about Grafton. 


THE PLOT THICKENS. , 26/ 

That lady, as we have already said, would not have 
been at all averse to becoming Mrs. Grafton, and at 
this time she had not by any means ceased to hope 
that such a consummation of her desires might be 
effected. The lawyer still took a deep interest in the 
children, wrote to her frequently, and visited her and 
them whenever he was East. Her liking for him was 
fully shared by her children. A conversation about 
Grafton was therefore not likely to prove at all dis- 
agreeable to her. 

The gentleman called one morning upon Mrs. Tres- 
ham ; he was shown into a parlor, and informed that 
she would be down to receive him in a few minutes. 

In a moment the door opened, and a bright little 
fellow of some five summers entered the* room. He 
was soon seated in the visitor’s lap. There were 
several pictures hanging up in the parlor, and among 
them some portraits. The gentleman had known 
Mr. Tresham by sight, but had never seen Mr. Graf- 
ton. 

The boy did not remember his own father; and 
when the visitor pointed to Grafton’s picture and in- 
quired whose it was, the child replied, “ My papa’s,” 
— as that was a term of affection he sometimes ap- 
plied to his guardian. The gentleman attempted to 
convince him that the other was the portrait of his 
father, but the boy sturdily adhered to his assertion ; 
and .added that he knew he was right, for “ mamma 
had told him so.” 

This was all simple enough, and easy to be ex- 
plained to a candid person ; but Miss Rivers’s cousin 
immediately saw a great deal in it. 


268 


AT swords’ points. 


Mrs. Tresham soon came in. Her visitor said that 
he had called to learn about the sale of some little 
property belonging to the estate, and, as he had ex- 
pected, he was referred to Mr. Grafton. He inquired 
further about that person, and then desired to be in- 
formed whose picture that was hanging on the wall, 
pointing to it at the same time. 

“ Oh, that is Mr. Grafton,^' the lady replied, with 
a smile. 

“ Is she entirely devoid of shame ? ” thought the 
visitor, “thus to have the portrait of her paramour 
hanging in her parlor and to teach her boy to call 
him father ? ” 

But he did not show by his countenance what was 
passing in his mind. He managed to keep the con- 
versation upon Mr. Grafton, and Mrs. Tresham talked 
quite freely of her friend. The gentleman concluded 
that she admired him greatly and was deeply attached 
to him. 

He wrote his cousin that there was no question 
that the rumors she had heard were substantially 
true; that Grafton had been, and still was, very in- 
timate with Mrs. Tresham, who did not attempt to 
conceal her intimacy with him, and was evidently 
convinced by his seductive promises that he' would 
marry her ere long. He closed his letter with the 
story of the picture, and the remark that if Grafton 
denied anything he was ready to confront him. 


GRAFTON CONQUERS HIS DESPAIR. 269 


CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

GRAFTON CONQUERS HIS DESPAIR. 

M ISS RIVERS had hoped that her cousin would 
be able to clear up the story about Mrs. 
Tresham. If one story were proven false, she would 
believe all of them to be so. But if one of them were 
true — alas ! that, without the proving of any of the 
other charges, would be enough to wreck her hopes. 

She received her cousin’s letter, and, with proper 
caution, retired to her own room before breaking the 
seal. As she read it she saw that her fate was sealed, 
she heard the death-knell of her happiness. With a 
cry that rang through the house, she fell fainting on 
the floor. Her aunt and one of the servants rushed 
to her assistance. Consciousness was soon partially 
restored; but the patient tossed and moaned upon 
her bed, and would give no explanation as to what 
was grieving her. 

A physician was summoned, but he could aflbrd 
little relief. 

Her aunt watched by her bedside during the night. 
In the morning there was every symptom of nervous 
fever. A dangerous illness of some weeks followed. 

During that period not a syllable escaped her lips 
indicating the cause of her distress. 

Grafton, almost beside himself with anxiety, fre- 
quently called at the house to learn the condition of 
her health. 

He would have given worlds to see her. 

23* 


270 


AT swords’ points. 


After a time her robust constitution began to re- 
sume its ascendancy: her strength daily increased, and, 
as her health improved and she began to regain her 
wonted physical as well as mental vigor, her feelings 
changed from agony, regret, and longing for the loss 
of the one she had loved to vindictiveness and con- 
tempt for him who under the guise of love had so 
cruelly wounded her. 

One day, when she was recovering quite rapidly, 
Grafton requested to be allowed to see her. A 
refusal was sent him, without explanation. 

Some three days afterwards she had recovered suf- 
ficiently to remain for a time in an easy-chair. While 
her aunt was absent from the room. Miss Rivers drew 
this chair up to a stand, took her writing materials, 
and wrote Grafton a note, in which she said that she 
would give him an answer before the time she had 
fixed. 

She then haughtily rejected his offer, and dn a few 
sentences pungently and bitterly expressed for him 
her sentiments of anger, dislike, and scorn. She told 
him, besides, that as he must well know the reasons 
which had caused her to decide thus, it would be en- 
tirely unnecessary for him to seek an explanation, 
and that should he attempt to gain an interview his 
efforts would be futile. 

When Grafton received this note, the contents af- 
fected him so deeply that he was like a person whose 
faculties are stunned. He seemed at first to have lost 
control over himself, and scarcely to know where he 
was. But he soon resolved to bear whatever suffer- 
ing there might be in store for him as became a man. 


GRAFTON CONQUERS HIS DESPAIR. 2/1 

and one who, as he believed, was worthy of the love 
of Florence Rivers. 

His feelings of sympathy were aroused for the fair 
girl who he yet believed loved him, but whose youth 
and inexperience had been imposed upon by his ene- 
mies. As he thought of his wrongs, his passions 
were aroused, and he began to feel for the first time 
in his life how very sweet was revenge. As he was 
slow to anger, so was his hatred, when once aroused, 
the more terrible, persevering, and deadly. 

But he must first attempt to change the resolution 
formed by Miss Rivers. He would not go to see her 
but would write a letter requesting the privilege ac- 
corded to every one charged with being an evil-doer, 
— of being confronted with his accuser, and of reply- 
ing to his charges. 

The letter was sent, but was returned unopened. 

He then wrote another, in more explicit terms, took 
it to Mr. Rivers, and requested that gentleman, in case 
his niece would not read it, to inform her of its con- 
tents. 

Mr. Rivers looked at Grafton in astonishment. He 
had been so absorbed in his business affairs that he 
was not aware that any serious difficulty had arisen 
between the lovers. He knew that his niece was 
really attached to Grafton, and had latterly supposed 
that the matter was about arranged, only that some 
delay had been caused by the young lady’s severe 
illness. 

But now the tones of Grafton’s voice startled him, 
and when he looked into the face of his friend he 
read there the traces of unrest and mental anguish. 


2/2 


AT swords’ points. 


*‘Why, Grafton,” he exclaimed, “are you ill? 
Or have you and Flo been having a falling out ? It ’s 
nothing serious, I hope ? ” 

“ It may be very serious,” replied Grafton, sadly ; 
“ and that is about all that I can say to you now in 
reference to the matter. But will you do my errand 
for me? ” 

“ Certainly, my dear friend,” replied the merchant, 
as the lawyer took his leave. 

The scene that evening between Mr. Rivers and 
his niece was a stormy one. But he could not obtain 
from her either information or satisfaction. He lost 
his temper at last, and told her that she was a little 
fool. Then, as he looked at her pale, sad face, he 
took that all back, and humbly begged pardon ; but 
when, soon after, he met his wife in the parlor, he 
exclaimed that never in his life had he felt so inclined 
to take the pride and stubbornness out of that niece 
of his, and that nothing but her delicate health pre- 
vented him from doing it. 

If she were well, he suggested, a few days’ confine- 
ment in her room with a diet of bread and water 
would produce excellent results. 

Mrs. Rivers looked at him incredulously, regarding 
her husband as the last man who would attempt to 
introduce discipline of such a nature into his house- 
hold. 

Mr. Rivers met Grafton the following morning, and 
the large heart of the merchant was filled with pity 
when he saw the expression of gloom and despair 
that rested upon the face of his friend when he had 
given an account of the occurrences of the previous 
evening. 


GRAFTON CONQUERS HIS DESPAIR. 2/3 

Although I can offer you no definite hopes now,” 
said Mr. Rivers, “ I advise you not to despair. A 
woman’s heart is a strange creation; and time will 
probably work wonders.” 

Grafton arose with the air of a doomed man and 
slowly proceeded to his office. There he threw him- 
self into a chair, and fell into a deep study, which 
lasted for nearly an hour. 

Then, exclaiming to himself, “ This is unbearable ! ” 
he took down from the wall one of his rifles. He 
proceeded to the stables of one of his friends who 
kept several horses, some of which he occasionally 
requested Grafton to exercise. 

The lawyer pointed out a large handsome black 
horse, and asked the man in attendance to saddle it. 
The man looked up in astonishment: the animal was 
as well known for his vicious temper as for his speed 
and high spirit. Grafton was in thorough earnest, and 
was soon upon the horse’s back. 

He could at first scarcely keep his seat as the beast 
reared and plunged in its efforts to throw him. The 
excitement was a source of great relief to Grafton’s 
overburdened feelings. He soon obtained complete 
mastery of his horse, and dashed out at a rapid rate 
into the country. 

He rode very fast for some time. A storm was 
approaching; but he gave little heed to it. Vivid 
flashes of lightning were momentarily repeated, and 
the thunder reverberated from the four quarters of 
heaven. The elements seemed to combine in en- 
deavoring to draw Grafton’s mind from its all-absorb- 
ing topic. But in vain. Though the scenes presented 
S 


274 at swords’ points. 

had a terrible fascination, he pressed on as though 
life itself depended upon his efforts. 

After a time his horse, alarmed at the storm, re- 
fused to proceed further. No building was in sight. 
He saw at a little distance a deep glen, over which 
the foliage hung heavily. He led his horse into it 
and fastened him. Although but a short time after 
noon, it was almost dark there. 

His horse could see but little of the storm, and 
could feel scarcely any of the rain. 

Grafton, while, exhibiting the utmost solicitude to 
protect the animal as the property of his friend, 
seemed to care nothing for his own person. 

Feeling as if consumed by a fever, he left the glen, 
clambered out on a large and exposed rock, and lay 
there on his back, awaiting the coming of the mag- 
nificent storm which was soon to burst upon him in 
all its fury. 

The fresh, cool rain did him good. Some of the 
fever-heat of his brain passed away. He lay there 
for two hours, contemplating the grandeur of the 
scenery and of the storm, when, the latter having 
abated, he rode to the nearest farm-house, requested 
shelter for the night, saw that his horse was properly 
fed and stabled, and then, without supper, retired to 
his room. 

The next day he felt better and calmer. He was 
soon, however, engaged in a fierce struggle with him- 
self He rode on and on all that day, and at night 
put up at another farm-house. 

Pride and self-control had obtained the victory. 
He would succeed, if possible. He would have his 


GRAFTON CONQUERS HIS DESPAIR. 275 


revenge : it should be terrible, but yet of a manly 
sort. He would, however, do nothing rash or foolish, 
and would at all times be perfect master of himself. 

The third day he rode back to Glen Lynn, 
thoroughly fatigued, but with a healthy mind. As 
he entered his office the next morning, no one could 
have read upon his face the signs of the agony he 
had so recently suffered, or of the struggles that he 
had undergone. 

Nor would any one have imagined that he was even 
now suffering as acutely as ever. He had neither 
forgotten his love nor lost his sense of pain : he had 
only by his victory acquired the power of appearing 
to others undisturbed and easy in manner, and of 
bringing his mind to its regular labors, notwithstand- 
ing the strain to which it had been subjected. 

In this, too, he had his reward ; for he soon found 
that severe mental labor withdrew his thoughts from 
another subject and served to palliate his keener suf- 
ferings. 

He therefore devoted himself to his profession 
with an earnestness that surprised not a few of his 
friends, and especially Mr. Rivers. 


276 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 


AN INTERESTING ADVENTURE. 

FTER a few weeks’ absence, Hastings returned 



to the village where his friend Morton resided. 
He went to the best hotel and secured very comforta- 
ble and pleasant rooms. There for the first time he 
heard that his friend was seriously embarrassed in his 
business affairs, and that grave charges were made 
against him relative to some of his transactions. 

He experienced- a thrill of pleasure as he heard 
this. “ Miss Alice Morton will now be the more 
easily won,” he muttered to himself In the evening 
he called upon the young lady and found her quite 
reserved and sad. In a delicate way he inquired as 
to the cause of so great a change in her manner, and 
with a little urging found that it was due to her 
father’s difficulties. 

Hastings then expressed himself in the warmest 
and most generous terms. He believed that it was 
in his power to aid Mr. Morton, and he would imme- 
diately do so. He congratulated himself upon being 
there at that time, as it would give him an opportunity 
of proving how disinterested was his friendship, and 
that whatever losses Mr. Morton might sustain it 
could not change the affection and esteem with which 
he would ever regard him. 

It was soon rumored that Hastings was very de- 
voted to Miss Morton. Her father offered no objec- 
tion to the attentions of his friend. He was so much 


AN INTERESTING ADVENTURE. 27/ 

occupied with his own troubles that he thought little 
about the matter, and would have been one of the 
last persons to suspect evil of Hastings. 

One morning, Hastings called at a law-office in the 
town and sat down to read the daily papers. Soon 
a stranger entered and began to talk very eagerly 
with the attorney. Hastings appeared to be deeply 
interested in his paper; but he was not the man to 
allow anything to escape his attention, and was not 
over-scrupulous about eavesrdropping. 

He caught the words “forgery,” “ Morton,” “notes,” 
and “ money.” That was about all that he could 
make of it. He listened, and thought, but said noth- 
ing. With what had previously reached his ears, it 
was not a very difficult task for him to connect the 
disjointed sentences which he had heard, so that the 
purport of them might easily be understood. 

He said nothing to any one about the matter, but 
when he thought that the proper time had arrived he 
called at this lawyer’s office, entered into a confiden- 
tial chat with him, and, saying that he would like to 
assist his friend Morton in his difficulties, inquired if 
the lawyer knew of any way in which he could do so. 

That person hesitated for several moments, and ^ 
then said that there were three notes in his posses- 
sion about which he was very suspicious ; that if Has- 
tings would take them up and hold them until the 
storm which had burst upon Morton’s head had in 
a measure subsided, it would probably be of great 
assistance to him. 

Hastings asked if there was anything wrong about 
the notes. 


24 


2/8 


AT swords’ points. 


The attorney replied that he thought there was, but 
that he was not positive. Morton might have used 
the notes solely for the purpose of helping himself 
over a tight place and then taking them up. For one, 
he was not inclined to judge him too harshly. But, 
whether Morton had acted lawfully and honestly or 
not, this fact remained, that there were circumstances 
connected with the transaction which rendered it very 
important to Morton, in the present condition of his 
affairs, that it should be kept quiet. 

Hastings inquired the amount of the notes. 

The lawyer replied that they were for three hun- 
dred and fifty dollars each, but that his client was 
willing to sell them for six hundred, and would keep 
his mouth shut; though, of course, they would enter 
into no definite contract of that kind, for fear of being 
charged with compounding a felony. 

The attorney produced the notes. Hastings had 
prepared for the transaction. He examined them, 
counted out the money, paid it, took up the three 
notes, and left the office. 

“ Now,” said he, soliloquizing, I think that I have 
the whip in my own hand, and that the fair maiden 
will not be so coy. She was very pleasant and 
cordial while she thought there was a prospect of her 
becoming Mrs. Hastings. Mrs. Hastings ! — pshaw ! 
the little idiot ! What do I want with a wife ? 

“There is only one — there never was but one — 
who could fill that place. This young lady must 
be guided and controlled by me as others have 
been. She shall either be my mistress or a convict’s 
child ; and she might as well understand that first as 


AN INTERESTING ADVENTURE. 2/9 

last. So, my pretty one, we shall see whose will is 
the stronger, — yours or mine." 

He soon called upon Miss Morton, and at first she 
declined to see him. He wrote a few words on a 
card and sent it to her. Then she came down to the 
parlor. Their interview was somewhat stormy. The 
young lady defied him. 

She paid no attention to his threats, indignantly 
refused to accede to any of his proposals, and ordered 
him to leave the house. He went, muttering threats 
of vengeance, and Miss Morton, overcome with feel- 
ings of terror and despair, fell fainting. 

Hastings rarely failed to act with deliberation, and 
now, as usual, he decided to proceed calmly. He 
took a carriage and drove to a neighboring village to 
visit a friend. He remained there all night, and re- 
turned on the day following. 

He appeared to feel as pleasant as usual, and called 
upon several of his acquaintances, but was careful to 
avoid meeting Morton. 

He had a gay, social time, and drank considerable 
wine, — only enough, however, to warm him, without 
depriving him of the use of any of his faculties. He 
went to his own rooms in the hotel at about twelve 
o’clock in the evening. 

He sat down in an easy-chair and began to think 
of Alice Morton and of his prospects of success. He 
appeared to enjoy his meditations. After some time 
he looked up. He thought he heard a rustling noise 
in his room. In a moment he saw the lamplight 
glitter upon the barrel of a pistol, and was startled 
as he caught the flash of two black eyes. 


28o 


AT swords’ points. 


Instantly the intruder, knowing that concealment 
was no longer possible, glided into the room, and 
completely “ covered ” Hastings with a revolver. 

“ Stir, or speak loudly, and I ’ll kill you,” he said, 
in a low voice, but in such a tone as sent an addi- 
tional thrill of terror through Hastings. 

The latter stared in amazement at his visitor. He 
saw before him a young man, tall, dark, and well- 
dressed. “ He is not here to rob me, but to seek re- 
venge,” thought Hastings, as another chill passed 
over him. “ He will be the more difficult to man- 
age.” 

“What do you wish here?” inquired Hastings, 
assuming as bold and resolute a front as he could. 

“You,” was the sole response. 

“ Well, I am here. Now, what do you want with 
me ? ” 

“ To kill you,” was uttered in the same terrible 
tone. 

“ Why don’t you do it, then ? ” inquired Hastings, 
endeavoring to appear perfectly cool. 

“ There ’s time enough. We ’ve everything to our- 
selves. I don’t wish you to die without my telling 
you why it is that I am here.” 

“ You are very considerate.” 

“Yes,” said the stranger. “It’s the first time I 
have had the pleasure of your acquaintance, Mr. 
Hastings, and, as it is probable that it will be the 
last, I propose to improve the opportunity.” 

Prior to his interruption Hastings had been sitting 
in an easy-chair close to a table. Upon this he had 
placed a little casket, which he opened, that he might 


AN INTERESTING ADVENTURE. 


281 


sit and gloat over the Morton notes, which he had 
placed there for safe keeping. 

A little farther on there was in the table a sort of 
pocket which would not readily be perceived. In 
this he kept a heavy six-shooter. He did not gen- 
erally go armed in the daytime, unless he was antici- 
pating trouble; but at night he always desired to 
have his weapons near him. He was a quick and 
accurate shot. 

Now self-preservation was the object uppermost in 
his mind. Could he but reach that pistol, having en- 
gaged his opponent in conversation so that he would 
be the less wary, he might after all get the first shot. 
A second one would not be necessary. It was worth 
attempting, at least. 

He slowly rose from his chair, watching the eye 
of his adversary. He saw that he was prepared to 
shoot, but that he desired first to tantalize his victim. 
Hastings gained his feet, while the other watched 
him. Then he placed his hand upon the casket. 

Leave that open, or I ’ll fire.” 

Hastings withdrew his hand, but said, in a dogged 
tone, as if he did not care, “We’ve heard a good 
deal this evening about shooting. Now, why don’t 
you shoot ? ” 

“ I will when I ’m ready. The fact is, Mr. Hastings, 
I ’m a Universalist. I have doubts about hell. You 
are now in an agony of fear; I can see it. You can’t 
hide it from me. I ’ll plague you a while. Then I ’ll 
shoot ; and then,” he continued, slowly and distinctly, 
“ you won’t have got half that you deserve.” 

“ My God ! ” exclaimed Hastings. 

24 * 


282 


AT swords’ points. 


“You may call him, but he won’t pay much atten- 
tion to you.” 

By this time Hastings had glided along until he 
could reach the pocket. He did so; but the pistol 
was gone. At the same time he perceived a demoniac 
grin upon the face of the avenger. 

“Want your pistol, do you, Mr. Hastings? I 
saw what you were at as you rose from your chair. 
Thought you might as well play at that string as 
any other. Here’s your weapon. Do you want it? 
Come and get it. What ! afraid ? Well, if you are 
shot to-night, as you assuredly will be, the bullet will 
be found out of your own pistol, and not out of 
mine.” 

“ Let this farce end,” said Hastings, petulantly. 

“ Farce ! ” said the stranger, dropping all tones of 
mockery from his voice; “farce! you will find it a 
terrible tragedy before we have finished. 

“ But, though you are in a hurry, listen to me ! 

“I am a friend of Alice Morton. Ah! you start. 
She is not friendless, even though you thought so. 
She loved me — well, until you appeared upon the 
scene. I speak plainly; for I speak to a doomed 
man. She will love me again, and marry me too, 
now that she knows what you are. I told her that I 
would kill you, and she pleaded for your life ; but do 
you suppose, as she is to be my wife, that I will let 
such a viper as you continue to live ? 

“ Oh, you who at such a time as this would betray 
the friendship of a man now sunk in ruin and despair, 
but who once saved your worse than worthless life. 
You, his pretended friend, knew that Morton was in- 
capable of such an act. 


AN INTERESTING ADVENTURE. 283 

Oh, you who would betray a maiden who regarded 
you, with your smooth tongue and earnest protesta- 
tions, as her father’s truest friend. 

“ Oh, you fiend, viper, villain, traitor, you have no 
right to live.” 

Hastings saw that his time had come unless he 
acted at once. With an agility that completely dumb- 
founded his foe and for a moment threw him off his. 
guard, Hastings sprang through the window that was 
open, and lighted upon the roof of a building below. 
From that he easily reached the ground, but not un- 
injured. At the window he heard the loud report 
of a pistol, and felt a severe sting of pain in his 
shoulder. 

When he reached the ground, he found that the 
blood was flowing freely. In a moment his foe was 
nearly upon him again. 

That person, after firing, exclaimed, “ That ’s better 
than if I had killed him ! ” seized the three notes from 
the casket, held the signatures in the blaze of the 
lamp, and was just letting himself down from the 
window as the landlord broke open the door to see 
what the difficulty was. 

Hastings hurried to a surgeon’s office and had his 
wound dressed. He would not return to his room 
till daylight. He found his pistol with one chamber 
empty, and his casket with the notes gono. They 
had been effectually consumed. 

That day, notwithstanding his injured condition, 
thinking that that town was becoming dangerous for 
him, he started for Glen Lynn, very much crestfallen. 


284 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XL. 


THE TRIAL. 


RAFTON congratulated himself that he was 



hiding from all inquisitive eyes the grief that 
was gnawing at his heart. He certainly had gained 
admirable control of his feelings; but to several of 
his friends it was apparent from his worn and wearied 
countenance that he was either overworking himself 
or was contending with some mental anguish. 

He could obtain no communication with Miss 
Rivers. Her uncle’s opinion and his own coincided 
on this point, that for the present it was not advisable 
to attempt to see or to write to her, nor to appear to 
care much for what she had done. They hoped that 
she might see the error she had committed, or at 
least that they might ascertain the cause of her 
strange conduct. 

Miss Florence Rivers was by no means satisfied 
with her course, when she came to consider it coolly 
and deliberately. Had she not been rash? What 
harm could have come of granting Grafton’s one re- 
quest, which was that he might at least be treated as 
well as an ordinary criminal, hear the accusations 
against him, and have the privilege of replying to 
them ? 

Her sufferings were the more poignant that she 
had no one to confide in, no one to sympathize with 
her. Her uncle was exceedingly angry with her, and 
time did not appear to cool his wrath. 


THE TRIAL. 


285 


The young lady therefore said very little to either 
her uncle or her aunt, kept her room most of the 
time, and refused to see any callers, alleging ill health 
as the reason for her conduct. 

At one time she decided to go East for a visit. 
Then she feared that, if she did, her uncle would be- 
come angrier than ever. So she gave up that plan. 
Instead of the joyous sunshine which she bore with 
her formerly, she knew that now she was surrounded 
by a cloud, and that she spread its gloomy folds over 
the household of her uncle. 

Grafton continued to keep closely at his office and 
to give the most assiduous attention to his profession. 
At length the time for holding another term of court 
at Glenn Lynn had arrived. The case of Hastings 
vs. Estelroy, Administrator, etc., was near the head 
of the docket. Grafton had, by direction, retained 
distinguished counsel to assist him, but, by agreement, 
he was to have the principal management of the trial. 

On the third day it was called. Both sides an- 
swered ready, a jury was empanelled, and the trial 
proceeded. This cause was one that had excited a 
deep interest in Glen Lynn. Eminent lawyers from 
a distance had been retained on each side, and 
were now present. The bar was crowded with at- 
torneys, eager to watch the proceedings of these 
lights in the profession, and the seats in the court- 
room were filled by those who were expecting to hear 
eloquent addresses to the jury. 

Judge Rowe opened the case to the jury on the 
part of Mr. Hastings. He spoke very briefly, and said 
that while the suit was one of unusual magnitude in 


286 


AT swords’ points. 


that section of country, involving in the amount 
claimed, together with the interest, nearly one hun- 
dred thousand dollars, yet the facts for the jury to 
pass upon were very simple, really requiring no further 
investigation on their part than if the notes sued on 
amounted only to one hundred dollars. The case of 
the plaintiff was, in fact, so clear that for one he was 
surprised, yes, actually astonished, that the counsel 
for the other party should have advised her to appear 
and defend at all. 

He understood that it would be claimed by the de- 
fence that but one business transaction had ever oc- 
curred between his client and Mr. Estelroy; while 
they were ready to prove that there had been several 
such transactions, and not only that, but during 
the lifetime of Mr. Estelroy he had recognized the 
validity of these notes by paying interest upon them, 
which had been duly endorsed. 

The evidence on the part of the plaintiff, he said, 
would occupy but little time. In the first place, they 
would establish by direct proof that the notes were 
executed and delivered by Mr. Estelroy. They 
would also prove, by parties acquainted with his 
handwriting, that the signatures were his own. 

This, Judge Rowe claimed, would be sufficient, as 
they now held the notes to establish their case ; but 
should it be required, they were also ready to prove, 
by unquestionable evidence, that the entire matter on 
the part of Mr. Hastings was a bond fide and honor- 
able business transaction, — all the more honorable for 
the reason that he had done all this simply to oblige 
a friend. 


THE TRIAL. 


287 


The plaintiff consequently asked a verdict from the 
jury for seventy-two thousand dollars, with interest at 
seven per cent, (the New York rate) from the date of 
the notes. 

As Judge Rowe took his seat, Grafton noticed that 
he and Gordon glanced significantly at each other. 
He felt assured that the latter was interesting himself 
in the trial, although he did not dare to lend any open 
assistance. He resolved to watch them carefully, and, 
if anything of importance were detected, to avail him- 
self of it fully and relentlestly. 

When the court adjourned, he saw Judge Rowe 
and Gordon walk up the street together, evidently 
deeply interested in the discussion of some point or 
question. 

The first witness called was Mr. Rix, of the firm of 
Rix, Letair & Co., who swore that he was a broker in 
New York city, that he had some acquaintance with 
the plaintiff, Hastings, and that he had been very well 
acquainted with Mr. Estelroy during his lifetime, had 
transacted a large amount of business for him, had 
frequently seen him write his name, and was well 
acquainted with his signature. 

The six notes were then handed to the witness, 
and he was requested to state what* he knew about 
them. 

He said that he had no hesitation in pronouncing 
all the signatures to be those of Estelroy; that he 
did not see him sign them, but they were the identi- 
cal notes brought by Estelroy and Hastings to his 
office and received by the firm as payment for certain 
stock in which both of those gentlemen appeared to 


288 


AT swords’ points. 


be interested. The notes were then sent to the bank- 
ers of Rix, Letair & Co. ; since which period he 
had heard nothing of them until about the time of 
the commencement of this suit. That was all that he 
could state on his own personal knowledge. 

Grafton inquired of the witness if he was quite 
certain that those were the identical six notes. 

Mr. Rix replied that he was. 

Judge Rowe smiled. 

Grafton, to the surprise of plaintiff’s counsel, said 
that he had no further questions to ask, but would 
request the witness to remain in the court-room, as 
they might need him further. 

“ If you have anything further to inquire about, 
you must do it now,” said Judge Rowe, excitedly. 

“ We will discuss that question if we recall the 
witness,” replied Grafton, coolly. 

The next witness called said that his name was 
John Sharp; that he resided in New York, and had 
for some years been receiving teller for McGregor & 
Co., the bankers mentioned by Mr. Rix ; that he 
knew Mr. Hastings very well, and knew Mr. Estelroy 
also. He looked at the notes in question, and said 
that, while he could not swear positively to the signa- 
ture, he was for several reasons certain that those 
were the six notes discounted by McGregor & Co. at 
the time mentioned for Rex, Letair & Co. 

He further stated that, a few days before said notes 
were due and payable, Hastings, who was an endorser 
upon them, came to the bank, paid the notes in full, 
and took them away with him without their being 
cancelled in the usual manner. Since then he had 


THE TRIAL. 


289 


heard nothing about them until the receipt of Rex, 
Letair & Co.’s letter of inquiry a few months previous. 

Upon the cross-examination Grafton inquired if 
during the period mentioned McGregor & Co. were 
not doing a very extensive business as bankers. 

The witness replied that they were. 

And during that time you were the principal re- 
ceiving teller ? ” 

Sharp answered in the affirmative. 

And had a great many affairs of the kind to at- 
tend to during the course of one day ? ” 

“ Certainly.” 

Will you please to name some of the transactions 
in which you participated, or some of the notes that 
were paid, on the identical day that Mr. Hastings 
paid off these in question ? ” 

“ It would be impossible for me to do so.” 

Then, Mr. Sharp, will you be so kind as to ex- 
plain why after a lapse of several years you so dis- 
tinctly recollect the transaction with Mr. Hastings, 
and have no remembrance of any others of that 
date ? ” 

‘‘Most cheerfully,” replied Sharp, ‘brightening up. 
“In the first place, the amount was an .unusually 
large one, and thus made more than an ordinary im- 
pression upon my mind. Secondly, notes were gen- 
erally paid and cancelled at my desk on the day due. 
It was rather uncommon for a note to be taken up 
by one of the parties interested without cancelling 
some days before it was due. The principal reason, 
however, for my recollecting the matter so well is 
that on the day mentioned, at Mr. Hastings’s request, 
25 T 


290 


AT swords’ points. 


I entered upon one of my regular books at the bank 
that these six notes had been taken up and paid by 
that gentleman some days before they fell due. 

“After the present suit was begun, at the request 
of the plaintiff, I examined the books for that year, 
and found the entry made as stated, in my own hand- 
writing. 

“ All this had sufficiently refreshed my memory to 
enable me to swear positively to the facts.” 

Judge Rowe appeared not a little gratified at the 
effect the testimony of this witness was producing; 
but when he caught the gleam of satisfaction upon 
Grafton’s countenance his own face lengthened, and 
he began to fear that something which he had not 
suspected, but which was of the utmost importance 
to his client, was lying back of the case. 

Grafton then said that they did not need this wit- 
ness any further at present, but that they must make 
the same request of him as they had made of Mr. 
Rix. 

Judge Rowe rose excitedly, and said that if the 
gentleman had any further inquiries to make he must 
make them now. 

The presiding Judge remarked that Mr. Grafton’s 
course seemed to him to be entirely proper; that the 
question of recalling a witness was one entirely of 
discretion with the Judge ; and, as the counsel for the 
defence had said, the propriety of it could be dis- 
cussed at the right time. 

Hastings then took the stand, with an air of self- 
confidence. He was sworn as a witness contrary to 
the advice of his counsel ; but he was so obstinate, 


THE TRIAL CONTtNUED. 


291 


and so certain that his testimony would clinch the 
matter, that they were compelled to yield, trusting, 
however, that the defence would raise such serious 
and valid objections that it would be excluded by the 
court. 

This course did not at all accord with the plan of 
action agreed upon by Mr. Grafton and his associates. 


CHAPTER XLI. 

THE TRIAL CONTINUED. 

H astings proceeded to testify that he had with 
Mr. Estelroy an acquaintance running through 
several years prior to his decease. At the time of 
giving the notes in question, he and Estelroy were 
largely interested together in stocks at the city of 
New York. 

Estelroy had lost heavily, and, though not badly 
embarrassed financially, had some difficulty in meet- 
ing all of his engagements. Solely for his accommo- 
dation, he, the witness, had advanced the amount due 
upon these six notes, and agreed to hold them for 
some length of time, if possible, until it should be 
entirely convenient for Mr. Estelroy to pay them. 

Before he removed to Glen Lynn, that gentleman’s 
business matters continued to improve, so that the 
witness was satisfied that the notes were good and 
that they would certainly be paid if at any time he 


' 29 ? 


AT swords’ points. 


should attempt to force a collection. This, however, 
he had no desire to do. 

Estelroy paid up the interest promptly, as was 
shown by the endorsements on the notes. 

Thus matters stood at the time that gentleman was 
murdered. Of course after that sad event the witness 
did not wish to urge payment from the executrix. 
After waiting, however, for what he considered to be 
a reasonable time, he found it necessary to take ac- 
tion in the premises, and had therefore commenced 
this suit. 

Hastings proceeded at some length, and went very 
fully into all the details of the transaction, omitting 
no particulars which he imagined would favor his 
case. 

His counsel became very restless. They saw that 
he was exposing himself to a searching cross-exam- 
ination, one which the court could not have allowed 
had he confined himself briefly to the material facts 
in the case. The opposing counsel raised no objec- 
tion, as Judge Rowe had hoped they would. He did 
not dare to check the witness, who evidently thought 
he was placing matters before the jury in just their 
proper light, and as no one else could do it. To have 
interrupted him in the full tide of his self-sufficiency 
would have been to bring on a collision in open court 
between counsel and client. Hence the astute Rowe 
was compelled to sit writhing in his seat. 

All things have an end, and consequently the direct 
testimony of Hastings. 

Grafton began to cross-examine. 

“ So, Mr. Hastings, you were very flush at about 
the time these notes were paid by you ? ” 


THE TRIAL CONTINUED. 293 

“ I was in very comfortable circumstances, sir. I 
had been very successful in stocks.” 

” And your reason for taking them up was simply 
your disinterested friendship for Mr. Estelroy ? ” 

“ I have already stated that, sir.” 

“ And you are positive that these are all and each 
of them the very notes you paid at the banking-house 
of McGregor & Co. ? ” 

There can be no question whatever about it,” 
Hastings replied. 

“And you took them up and paid them with your 
own individual money and property ? ” 

“ I did, sir,” Hastings replied. 

“ Now I will inquire, Mr. Hastings, if you know 
a man named Herbert Young, of the city of New 
York ? ” 

“Yes, sir, I do.” 

“Then state whether in the year 185-, the same 
year in which it is claimed these notes were paid by 
you, and in the month of June, this same Herbert 
Young did not obtain a judgment against you in the 
Supreme Court of the State of New York for ten 
thousand dollars.” 

“We object,” said the counsel for plaintiff, “for two 
reasons. First, the question is improper on cross- 
examination, as there was nothing said in the direct 
examination about a judgment. Secondly, if the de- 
fence is entitled to prove any such judgment, a certi- 
fied record of the same is the only evidence that can 
be admitted.” 

“Your honor,” said Grafton, rising, “I will state, 
in reference to the first objection made^ that our ob- 

25 ^ 


294 


AT swords’ points. 


ject is to impeach this witness, and that therefore the 
question is proper. 

“ As to the second, we desire merely to connect the 
witness with this judgment. We will then give them 
all the documentary evidence they require.” 

“The objection is overruled, and the witness will 
answer,” said the presiding Judge, promptly. 

“ Such a judgment was obtained as that, I believe,” 
said Hastings, preserving his habitual coolness. 

“ And execution issued thereon ? ” 

“Yes, sir; I suppose so.” 

“And that execution was returned unpaid and un- 
satisfied, was it not? ” 

“ We do most decidedly object, your honor,” said 
Judge Rowe, “to this method of cross-examining 
this witness. The return on the execution will show 
what was done. Let them produce that.” 

“ We can do that very readily,” answered Grafton. 
“ We have certified copies here of several of the 
papers in the case of Herbert Young vs. Percival 
Hastings. This question is not very material ; but I 
thought it the shortest method of proceeding.” 

• “You should know enough to proceed according 
to the rules of evidence,” said Rowe, curtly. 

“ Then, your honor, I maintain that under the cir- 
cumstances the question is proper. I am simply ask- 
ing as to a question of fact, concerning the property 
of this witness ; not the contents of that execution. 
We care nothing for the execution in itself. If this 
suit related to that case especially, the objection 
would, perhaps, be well taken. We desire only to 
know whether the execution was paid or not.” 
“Answer the (question, ” said the Judge. 


THE TRIAL CONTINUED. 295 

“ The court will please note our exception,” inter- 
posed the counsel for the plaintiff. 

“ The execution was not paid,” replied Hastings. 

‘‘ Has it been since paid?” 

Not to my knowledge.” 

Now, Mr. Hastings,” said Grafton, “you swore on 
your direct examination that these notes were taken 
up and paid by you on the fifth day of October, 185-: 
did you not ?” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ And you have since sworn on this cross-examina- 
tion that the whole amount was paid out of your own 
individual funds; have you not?” 

“ If I did, why do you now ask me ? ” answered 
Hastings, testily. 

“ Simply that no mistake might be made,” said 
Grafton, quietly. “ Can you tell me, as you remember 
that date so very distinctly, where you, were and what 
you were doing on the first day of that same month 
of October ? ” 

“I cannot. You must recollect, sir, that all this 
took place several years since.” 

“ I am well aware of that,” said Grafton ; “ but, as 
yoi*r memory was so good on one point, I thought 
that it might be also upon another. I will refresh it. 
Did you not, on . the first day of October, 185-, appear 
at the office of Charles Maynard, Esq., counsellor-at- 
law and referee. No. — , Broadway, New York city, 
under an order of the Supreme Court, duly served 
on you, to answer in supplementary proceedings insti- 
tuted against you by Herbert Young upon the judg- 
ment to which I have referred?” 


296 


AT swords’ points. 


The witness, for the first time, appeared discon- 
certed. He began to see the point to which Grafton 
was leading him. 

His counsel strenuously opposed the question, and 
argued their objections at some length ; but the court, 
without waiting to hear Grafton, directed the witness 
to answer. 

“ I now recollect that I was at the place you men- 
tion on the day in question,” said Hastings, in a low 
tone, very different from his usual prompt and com- 
placent one. 

“And did you not on that occasion,” asked Grafton, 
“swear that you had no moneys, credits, or other 
property belonging to you, in your possession or 
under your control ? and, if so, will you please to ex- 
plain to this jury how in the short space of four days 
you became possessed of the sum of seventy-two 
thousand dollars ? ” 

Hastings was astounded. He sat a few moments 
like one benumbed. He looked towards his counsel, 
as if seeking aid. “ How did Grafton,” he asked him- 
self, “ get on this track ? If he knows so much, may 
he not know a great deal more?” 

“Answer the question,” said the Judge, sternly. 

“We object to the question,” said Rowe, rising. 

“ The question is proper,” replied the court. 

“ Really, it was so long ago,” said Hastings, with 
evident hesitation, “ that I have forgotten a great deal 
about it. I could not swear positively to what I said 
then.” 

“ It makes very little difference,” said Grafton, look- 
ing at Rowe. “ We have Mr. Maynard here, with his 
minutes.” 


THE TRIAL CONTINUED. 29/ 

A deathly pallor overspread the features of the 
witness. It was observed by the jury, as Grafton in- 
tended that it should be. The counsel for the plain- 
tiff seemed to be growing nervous, especially Rowe. 
He demanded of Grafton if he was not through with 
the examination of the witness. 

“ Not just yet,” Grafton replied, in a somewhat 
tantalizing manner. 

“ Mr. Hastings,” he continued, “ you swore, I be- 
lieve, on your direct examination, that the six notes 
here produced are the identical six notes which you 
paid and took up at the banking-house of McGregor 
& Co.” 

“ I believe I did.” 

“Then what have you to say to these six notes 
that I now hold in my hand? ” 

“We object. We object,” said the counsel for the 
plaintiff, “until we have seen the papers.” 

But Hastings, regardless of his counsel, rnuttered, 
like one bewildered, “ Those can’t be the notes. I 
destroyed them myself They are forgeries. Yes, 
you have forged them to entrap rne.” Then, recover- 
ing a little, he continued in somewhat of his old tone, 
“ I know nothing of those notes, sir, that you hold in 
your hand.” 

“ I will refresh your memory, then, before we are 
through this trial. One more question, Mr. Hastings. 
Do you recognize this paper ? ” 

Hastings’s face now betokened the utmost dread 
and alarm. 

“ We object. It is irrelevant. It has nothing to 
do with this case,” exclaimed Rowe, excited to the 
utmost. 


298 


AT swords’ points. 


“ How do you know until you have seen it ? ” in- 
quired Grafton. “ I only inquired if he recognized 
it. You had better learn to make your objections at 
the proper time.” 

“ What is the paper, Mr. Grafton ? ” asked the pre- 
siding Judge. 

“ It ii a paper, your honor, found in certain notes 
once in the possession of Mr. Hastings, upon which 
some one has been practising on the name of Arthur 
Estelroy, apparently with the intention of imitating 
his signature as exactly as possible ; and the paper 
shows that considerable proficiency had already been 
attained.” 

“I know nothing whatever about it,” said Hastings, 
decidedly. I never saw that paper before.” 

“ We shall see,” said Grafton. ” That is all, Mr. 
Hastings.” . 

Judge Rowe then began to question his client in 
regard to the evidence given before the referee; but 
as he proceeded he saw that he was not gaining 
ground with either the court or the jury. He then 
told Hastings to leave the witness-stand. 

Grafton said he wished to recall Mr. Rix and Mr. 
Sharp. 

Rowe objected. 

Grafton urged that it was a question going directly 
to the discretion of the court, and that the evidence 
already adduced at least went to show that there was 
something very peculiar in this transaction. Had he 
cross-examined these gentlemen fully when they were 
first upon the stand, it would have placed the witness 
and his counsel fully upon their guard. It was a case. 


THE TRIAL CONTINUED. 299 

certainly, that appealed very strongly to the discretion 
of the court. 

The court said that, under the peculiar circum- 
stances connected with this case, the two witnesses 
might be recalled. 

“ Mr. Rix,” said Grafton, handing that gentleman 
one of the notes he had shown to Hastings, “ do you 
know whose signature is affixed to this piece of 
paper ? ” 

“ Yes, sir. It is that of the late Arthur Estelroy.” 

From your acquaintance, already testified to by 
yourself, with that gentleman and with his hand- 
writing, are you positive upon this point ? ” 

“ Quite positive, sir.” 

“ And whose endorsement is that upon the back ? ” 
“ It is that of Percival Hastings,” said the broker, 
with apparent astonishment. 

“ Are you equally positive upon that point ? ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ Did you ever see that note before ? ”/ 

“Yes, sir; I have, most certainly.” 

“ Why do you speak so decidedly ? ” 

“ Because I find here, written on the back, in my 
own hand, ‘ Estelroy note, $ 12,000.’” 

“ Will you look at these five other notes ? Does 
what you have said apply equally to them ? ” 

“ It does,” replied the witness, after a careful in- 
spection of each note. 

“ Mr. Rix, are these notes all of the same date, and 
were they all paid at the same time ? ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ Did you ever receive six notes, made by Mr. Es- 


300 


AT swords’ points. 


telroy and endorsed by Mr. Hastings, for twelve 
thousand dollars each, other than the six mentioned 
on your direct examination ? ” 

No, sir; we did not.” 

“ Are you also very positive on that point ? ” 

“ I am.” 

“Why?” 

“Seventy-two thousand dollars is a very large 
amount ; and I should certainly have recollected it.” 

“ Might not your partners have negotiated them ?” 

“ No, sir ; my partners never interfere with the 
business of the firm. I have the entire management. 
They aid in other ways, and receive a share of the 
profits or pay their portion of the losses. Besides, I 
have examined our books carefully since the begin- 
ning of this suit.” 

“ Then, Mr. Rix, are not the six notes which I have 
just handed you the very same that were received 
by you from Mr. Estelroy for that stock in the sum- 
mer of 185-? ” 

“ I must say that I am now satisfied that they are. 
I was misled by the first notes produced.” 

It was then admitted that Messrs. Rix and Sharp 
were experts upon this question of signatures. When 
the notes were shown to Sharp, he testified substan- 
tially as Mr. Rix had done; and both testified as ex- 
perts, after comparing the signatures, that the six 
notes produced by Hastings could not have been 
made by the same person who signed the six notes 
produced by Grafton. 

The plaintiff, after this re-cross-examination of his 
witnesses, rested his case. 


ARGUMENT FOR THE DEFENCE. 


301 


CHAPTER XLII. 

ARGUMENT FOR THE DEFENCE. 

G rafton then opened the case to the jury on 
the part of the defence. 

He did not desire, he said, to use strong or offen- 
sive language, but this cause demanded it. A more 
atrocious attempt to rob the widow and the orphan 
was never reported in the books. He could not be- 
lieve that the learned and eminent counsel retained 
by the plaintiff had understood anything of their 
case, or they never would have appeared to argue the 
cause of so infamous a client. 

The jury had witnessed the conduct of that client 
upon the stand, how glibly and complacently he told 
his story until the cross-examination began. Then 
what a change ! This man, who, as we will show 
you by the best evidence,” said Grafton, “ swore on 
the first day of October that he was 'not worth a 
cent, on the fifth ^ay of the same month pays out 
seventy-two thousand dollars, as he testifies, only to 
oblige a friend, with the understanding that the loan 
was to continue for a length of time.” 

He said" that he well knew how difficult it was to 
establish a good defence to promissory notes trans- 
ferred to a bond fide holder before due; and when 
first retained in this case he saw but little chance of 
saving his client from the payment of an unjust debt. 

As he had proceeded, however, he became satisfied 
that his first impressions as to the villany of Hast- 
ings were correct. 

26 


302 


AT swords’ points. 


Was Hastings the bona fide holder for value? Graf- 
ton believed that from the evidence of the plaintiff 
himself the jury would find against him. 

When he first began to look up the facts in this 
case, he believed that there was something wrong 
and mysterious about it ; but he did not suspect for- 
gery; neither did his client, Mrs. Estelroy. But as 
he had proceeded with his investigations he had be- 
come convinced that it was a clear case of forgery ; 
and that forgery was the chief defence of his client, 
and he could now say boldly that he had present the 
witnesses to prove beyond any doubt that the, six 
notes in question had all been forged by Hastings, 
that no interest whatever had been paid on them by 
Estelroy, and that the endorsement on them of in- 
terest paid was simply a device of Hastings to render 
his story more plausible. 

Soon after the papers were placed in his own hands 
as counsel for the defence, he had thought it probable 
that, while the plaintiff had no right to the notes for 
seventy-two thousand dollars, yqjt those notes bore 
the genuine signature of Estelroy; in other words, 
that Hastings paid the notes as the agent of Mr. Es- 
telroy and with money received from him, and then, 
instead of returning the notes to Estelroy, had re- 
tained them until the proper moment should arrive 
for using them. 

The moment arrived when his friend Estelroy (for 
whom he was willing to advance so great a sum) was 
stricken down by the hand of an Assassin and his 
widow was left alone and defenceless. 

He, the attorney for the defence, had long re- 


ARGUMENT FOR THE DEFENCE. 303 

mained of the same opinion ; but he was now con- 
vinced that the first intention of Hastings was to do 
just what he had stated, but that subsequently, when 
Estelroy grew impatient at these notes not being re- 
turned to him, Hastings, knowing that he must give 
them, formed the plan of forging six others, and, 
when the time arrived for attempting to do that which 
he was now endeavoring to accomplish, to make it 
appear that these were the very six notes negotiated 
by Rix, Letair & Co. The absence of Estelroy from 
home at that time for a few weeks had aided Hastings 
in his schemes. 

The defence was therefore ready to prove that 
Hastings had sworn before the referee as charged, 
and, if necessary, that he was actuated in these pro- 
ceedings not only by a desire for money, but also by 
a baser instinct than even such a desire. 

The defence had present a professional expert, who 
had made signatures and handwriting a life-study. 
The expert had carefully compared all the notes in 
question with a great number of the undoubted sig- 
natures of Mr. Estelroy, and would testify that, while 
the six notes produced by the defence bore the gen- 
uine signatures of Estelroy, the six offered by Hast- 
ings did not. While to an inexperienced eye the 
latter very closely resembled the general signatures 
of Estelroy, the expert noticed several peculiarities 
in the latter which distinguished them alike from 
every signature of that gentleman which he had ex- 
amined and from those affixed to the six notes shown 
by the defence. 

They were further prepared to show that Hastings, 


304 


AT swords’ points. 


in an unguarded moment, had admitted facts which, 
taken in connection with the circumstances that would 
be proven, would establish his guilt beyond a perad- 
venture. 

The jury had heard Messrs. Rix and Sharp, like 
honest men, as he believed them to be, correct their 
testimony according to the facts, after hearing Hast- 
ings. He would comment upon their evidence when 
summing up. 

The defence were also prepared to show that at the 
time in question it would have been a matter of im- 
possibility for Hastings to raise seventy-two thousand 
dollars. The real facts of the case were that Estelroy, 
reposing full confidence in the integrity of the plain- 
tiff, had drawn a check payable to bearer, instead 
of to the order of Rix, Letair & Co., of McGregor & 
Co., as he should have done, and, as he was going 
away, left it with Hastings to take to the bank on the 
day the notes were due, to pay them, take them up, 
and retain them for him until his return. 

Hastings, instead of doing as directed, took the 
check to another bank, had it passed to his credit, 
and took up the notes a few days before they fell due. 

Why Hastings had not appropriated the money 
then was a question that would be asked by many. 
It was not a question for the jury to pass upon ; yet 
it was proper for them to look at it. Grafton himself 
could give only a partial explanation. Hastings was 
very peculiar : all who knew him were aware of that. 
And it was well that it was so. Had all great vil- 
lains been created with what might be termed sound 
minds even for perpetrating their villany, they could 


ARGUMENT FOR THE DEFENCE. 305 

rarely be detected. But there was a flaw somewhere 
in the cranium of every one of them. And, as he had 
already said, it was very well that it was so. 

But he supposed that at that time the plaintiff was 
not ready to throw off the guise of integrity which he 
had worn, to betray the man who had stood by him 
and confided in him, to part with certain lady friends, 
for Hastings then expected to marry an heiress, or 
to break off certain liaiso?is for which he had become 
noted. 

The defence were still further ready to prove that 
the astute plaintiff had been a little careless, and had 
confided in persons, whom he took to be his friends, 
when in reality they were not. In fact, one of them 
was a celebrated detective, and a fine judge of excel- 
lent wine, of which it appeared that said plaintiff was 
very fond. He had allowed it to warm his heart to- 
wards the disguised detective. 

The plaintiff had also been careless in this : that he 
had allowed his opponents to become possessed of a 
certain piece of paper upon which he had made sev- 
eral attempts to imitate the signature of Arthur Estel- 
roy. It had, unperceived, been placed with the six 
notes and returned with them to Mr. Estelroy, and, 
being folded up in such a manner as not to expose 
the writing, had not been noticed by him, but was laid 
away with the notes. They would prove conclusively, 
by means of the expert already mentioned, that all 
these experiments and attempts were made by Mr. 
Percivai Hastings. 

“With this state of facts, gentlemen of the jury,” 
26* U 


3o6 


AT swords’ points. 


concluded Grafton, “ I do not think you will be long 
in bringing in a verdict for the defendant.” 

While Grafton had been speaking, a profound silence 
prevailed in the court. The Judge listened with at- 
tention, and a very plain expression of surprise was 
on his face. The members of the bar listened eagerly. 
The people outside the bar were deeply interested. 
Judge Rowe was downcast and uneasy, — by no 
means a usual condition for him. His associate 
leaned over and whispered to him, “ If they prove any 
such state of facts, — and I fear they will, — I shall 
throw up my share in this case.” 

Hastings had by this time recovered his self-pos- 
session, and appeared resolved to let nothing further 
surprise or disconcert him. 

But no one exhibited such emotion as Mrs. Estel- 
roy. Grafton had told her that he believed they had 
a sure defence ; but he had not deemed it advisable 
to disclose it to her fully. Now her cheeks flushed, 
and her eyes sparkled with a feeling of joy and grati- 
fied revenge. • Hastings would be crushed, her hus- 
band would be vindicated from the suspicion that he 
had deceived her about his business affairs, her tor- 
mentor would be silenced, and justice would be done. 

Grafton admired her appearance, and Gordon 
thought he had never before seen her look so regally 
beautiful. 

The first witness called for the defence was the 
detective Munson. Hastings did not recognize the 
name ; but when he saw the face of the witness he 
was evidently startled, and, stepping quickly to the 
side of Judge Rowe, whispered something in his ear. 


ARGUMENT FOR THE DEFENCE. 307 

“ Please wait a moment,” said Rowe, as he con- 
sulted with his associate. Then, rising, he said : 

“ May it please the court, we will withdraw this 
suit and pay all costs.” 

“ No one can deprive you of the right, I suppose,” 
said the presiding Judge, curtly. 

“ The plaintiff evidently recognizes his friend,” said 
Grafton, smiling. I do not wonder that he desires 
to dispense with his testimony. We ought to have 
a verdict ; but I think this will end the matter.” 

As Hastings, now thoroughly cowed and dejected, 
was about to leave the court-room, the sheriff laid 
his hand upon his shoulder and said, sternly, — 

You are my prisoner.” 

** You can’t arrest me here for forgery.” 

I am aware of that,” replied the officer. 

“ What do you arrest me for, then ? ” the prisoner 
demanded. “Perjury? Let’s see your warrant. 
Some of that d — d Grafton’s work, I suppose. Ah ! 
you have a warrant. What am I charged with, any- 
way Perjury, I suppose.” 

“ No, sir,” said the sheriff, “ but with the murder 
of Arthur Estelroy.” 

The prisoner’s knees trembled as he was led away 
to a dungeon from which he was well aware no one 
could bail him. 


3o8 


AT SWORDS POINTS. 


CHAPTER XLIII. 


FURTHER PARTICULARS. 


ROM the time that Grafton had set him to work, 



Munson the detective had been following the 
footsteps of Hastings like a sleuth-hound. He was 
at first engaged only in the suit upon the notes ; but 
Grafton, without communicating his own suspicions, 
told him that when he was through the first he would 
give him another case, though a desperate one, to 
look up, and in the meantime it would be well, while 
engaged on the first, to note any circumstances that 
might aid him in the second. 

Both related to Estelroy; but Munson had not re- 
ceived the slightest intimation that both might relate 
to Hastings. The second case had a great attraction 
for him, and he gave it much thought prior to being 
directly engaged in it. 

As he progressed with the first, the idea continually 
recurred to him, who of all persons could have had 
the most interest in Estelroy’s death, and, after that, 
in putting Rodgers out of the way ? 

He soon learned that Hastings, prior to her mar- 
riage, had been one of Mrs. Estelroy’s most devoted 
admirers. This gave him still further occasion for 
study. He next obtained as nearly as possible an 
exact description of the man Flemming. 

Some weeks subsequently, as he entered a sort of 
variety store in an Eastern city, the proprietor step- 


FURTHER PARTICULARS. 309 

ped from behind his desk, and, taking him by the 
hand, exclaimed, — 

“ Why, how do you do, Mr. Markham ? I was not 
looking for you at this time. How did that rig I sold 
you fit?” 

The detective was about to reply that there was a 
mistake, when he casually glanced at the reflection 
of his person in a large mirror in the store, and he 
observed for the first time that there was quite a 
striking resemblance between Hastings and himself 
in size, color of hair, complexion, features, and ex- 
pression. 

A new idea occurred to him. At once he replied, — 
It suited me first-rate.” 

And you had a good time at the ball, had you ?” 

“Yes, indeed. Not one of my friends recognized 
me.” 

“ Should n’t think they would. Anything I can do 
for you to-day ? ” 

“ Yes : there is another ball coming off, in a town 
where I am well acquainted. I have a friend about 
my size, and he thought it would be a good joke for 
us to go looking as nearly alike as possible. Can you 
fix me up an outfit like the other?” 

“Yes, exactly.” 

“ That other was perfect. I did not want to wear a 
mask, as every one would have noticed that. As it 
was, no one suspected that I was anything but a jolly 
old chap of fifty-five or sixty.” 

“ He need n’t know,” said Munson to himself, 
“ what shabby clothes were worn by his customer.” 

He called the next day at the store and procured 


310 


AT swords’ points. 


the articles. He was a thorough adept in the art of 
disguising himself. In the present instance he wished 
not only to do that, but also to represent another. 
After a few attempts in his room, he felt satisfied that 
he could appear very cleverly in the role of James 
Flemming. 

He knew that Hastings was then staying at the 
Dysart House, in a town about a hundred miles dis- 
tant. He repaired thither immediately, and found his 
man. Munson had a friend there in the same busi- 
ness as himself. He looked him up. That evening 
the friend called at the Dysart House, went into the 
parlor, and sent up his card to Hastings. 

That person soon appeared; and the detective, 
apologizing for disturbing him, entered very earnestly 
upon a feigned matter of business, which had been 
thoroughly planned between Munson and himself, 
and which they knew could not fail to interest Hast- 
ings deeply. He remained standing for a few mo- 
ments, and adroitly managed to have Hastings, who 
did the same, face the large mirror in the parlor, as 
they thought that a reflection in that would answer 
the purpose better, and would give a better opportu- 
nity of escaping in the evening than a direct look at 
the person himself. 

Just then Munson, disguised as Flemming, entered 
the parlor on one side, looked squarely at his friend 
and Hastings, and passed out. 

“ Who is that ? ” exclaimed Hastings, with a start, 
and turning deadly pale. 

“ I did n’t see any one,” replied the detective, 
coolly. 


FURTHER PARTICULARS. 3II 

“You didn’t? I saw the reflection of a man in 
that mirror. He passed through this room. I must 
find him immediately,” said Hastings, deeply per- 
turbed, as he stepped quickly into the hall ; but no 
one was there. He hastened down into the office 
and the reading-room, but could discover no one 
bearing any resemblance to the person whose reflec- 
tion he had seen in the glass. 

Some time after, Munson visited Glen Lynn in an 
entirely different disguise, and learned many material 
facts about Estelroy and Hastings. Quite late one 
evening he went to the sheriff’s office in the jail. 
That officer was out ; but a constable or deputy in 
attendance said that he would go to look him up. 
While he was gone, Munson quickly changed his 
former disguise to the one representing Flemming. 

The sheriff soon appeared at the door. Upon see- 
ing his visitor he started back as if some one had 
struck him, but the next moment, recovering himself, 
sprang upon Munson and seized him by the collar, 
saying : 

“ You are my prisoner.” 

“ I am aware of that fact. But you need not hold 
me so tight. Had I feared being arrested, I should 
not have placed myself directly under your claws. 
What do you arrest me for?” 

“ For poisoning Rodgers, of courjje.” 

“But the coroner’s jury found that he was not 
poisoned.” 

“That may be; but we know better now.” 

“And so I have got to swing for it ? ” said Munson, 
in his natural tone of voice. 


312 


AT swords’ points. 


The sheriff started. The face is Flemming’s, and 
the voice — yes, the voice is Munson’s. I was sold, 
and I admit it. It was well done, though. What’s 
up now, old fellow ? ” 

Munson took off his disguise, concealed it, and 
then told the sheriff, in whom he knew he could con- 
fide implicitly, what he was about. 

Satisfied that he was now on the right track, he 
proceeded steadily until he felt justified in directing 
the arrest of Hastings. Grafton was of opinion that 
for two reasons they had better delay it until the sit- 
ting of court. He thought that the evidence was far 
more conclusive in the note case than in that of mur- 
der, and that if Hastings were arrested for murder, 
and were cleared, it might be regarded as an attempt 
to do away with his testimony, or to remove him 
entirely, — which would injure their defence on the 
notes. 

Indictments were found against Hastings at that 
very term of court for the murder of Estelroy and of 
Rodgers. He pleaded not guilty to each, and asked 
for an immediate trial ; for he guessed, and not with- 
out reason, that the testimony thus far accumulated 
against him was entirely circumstantial and not very 
well connected. 

Grafton, as prosecuting attorney, thought that for 
several reasons it would be advisable to accede to 
his wishes, and believed that there would be little 
trouble in convicting him, especially as Munson, 
under an assumed name, had ingratiated himself with 
Hastings. This fact accounted for the surprise of the 
latter when he saw that his supposed friend was the 


FURTHER PARTICULARS. 313 

first witness called in the note suit on the part of the 
defence. 

The cause of the State tjs. Percival Hastings for 
the murder of Arthur Estelroy was set down for trial 
for a day certain. The prosecution was managed 
admirably by Grafton. The defence fought step by 
step, and conducted their side of the case very adroitly; 
but when the evidence was all in, the facts appeared 
damning against the prisoner, and every one seemed 
to expect a speedy verdict of guilty. But hours passed 
away, and it was reported that the jury stood ten for 
conviction and two for acquittal. It grew late in the 
evening, and still there was no change. When court 
opened in the morning, the jury sent in word that 
there was no prospect pf their agreeing ; but the Judge 
would not then discharge them. 

Finding, however, after they had been out for two 
days and two nights longer, that there was no hope 
of a different result, he discharged them and ordered 
that a new jury be impanelled in the case for the 
following Monday, and that counsel then be ready to 
proceed. 

Great indignation was manifested throughout Glen 
Lynn. The feeling did not improve when it was 
reported on pretty good authority that the two jury- 
men had been well paid by Hastings, and that they 
had left town immediately upon their discharge. 

27 


314 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XLIV. 

LYNCH LAW. 

I T was a dark, tempestuous night in January. Not 
a star was visible. The wind moaned and howled 
and shrieked around each building and tree, and oc- 
casionally large drops of rain fell. 

Court had adjourned for the day at six o’clock. 
At about nine in the evening, as the sheriff was sit- 
ting in his office, a man rushed up the stairs and said 
that there was a big fight going on in Tim Murphy’s 
saloon, between the St. Patrick’s club and some labor- 
ers who were working on the new railroad. There 
were not enough policemen there to stop it ; and they 
wished the sheriff would come over, for the rioters 
all stood in dread of him. He felt complimented at 
this evidence of respect, took his pistols, locked the 
front door, and started for Murphy’s saloon. He had 
not proceeded more than five yards, however, when 
two men seized him and a third gagged him. He was 
then disarmed, and a key was taken from his pocket. 
His eyes were bandaged, so that he could recognize 
no one, and he was led back to the jail. Some one 
whispered, — 

“ Keep still, sheriff. We won’t hurt you : we are 
all friends of yours, although we’ve had to handle 
you rather roughly. You can’t help yourself We 
want Hastings.” 

Just then some thirty horsemen rode up very quietly 
and halted in front of the jail. The door was opened 


LYNCH LAW. 315 

with the key found in the sheriff’s pocket, and he was 
laid upon a comfortable lounge in his office. 

The jailor was called for. He had none of the 
sheriff’s wit and presence of mind. He entered un- 
concernedly, but turned pale when he saw himself 
surrounded by masked men with four or five pistols 
covering him. He readily gave up the keys, and was 
immediately gagged, blindfolded, and laid near the 
sheriff. A guard of six men remained in the i;oom. 

Four others, all muffled, proceeded to Hastings’s 
cell and tied his hands, then brought him out and 
fastened him on a horse. The entire party, with the 
exception of the guard over the sheriff and the jailor, 
thereupon rode away. 

Half a mile beyond the outskirts of the town they 
came to a small grove. Under one tree a grave was 
dug. By the grave a coffin had been placed. 

Several dark lanterns were now opened, and threw 
a sickly glare over the scene. 

Hastings was taken from his horse and untied. He 
could scarcely stand. A man held him on each side. 

It is scarcely necessary to state that his feelings 
were terrible. He had never before experienced 
mortal agony. With the numbers around him he 
was aware that it would be futile to intercede for 
mercy. With but two or three he might have done 
something : with forty there was no hope. 

A struggle was going on within him. He wished 
to assume a bold manner, and, as he must die, to die 
like a bold man; but the impulse was almost irresist- 
ible to throw himself at the feet of his executioners 
and plead for mercy. 


AT swords’ points. 


316 

One man, possessed of kindlier feelings than the 
rest, offered him a flask of brandy. He seized it 
eagerly, and began to gulp down the liquor in great 
swallows. Another, seeing this, sprang forward and 
with a pistol struck the flask from his hand, exclaim- 
ing, — 

“ Let him die sober. He is entitled to no pity.” 

Hastings had, however, already drank enough of 
the fiery liquor to aid him in meeting with some de- 
gree of equanimity the terrible ordeal that awaited 
him. 

A rope was thrown over a strong limb, and a noose 
was speedily made. 

“ Percival Hastings, murderer of Arthur Estelroy, 
have you anything to say before meeting the just 
doom that has been decreed you ? ” 

You have no right to execute me. As an Ameri- 
can citizen I am entitled to a fair trial by a jury of 
my peers. You are a set of cut-throats and midnight 
assassins.” 

“ Yes, a jury of /its peers,” said one. 

They would acquit him certainly,” said another. 

“Of course, if he paid them for it,” remarked a 
third. 

“ Percival Hastings,” inquired the man who had at 
first addressed him, “have you anything further to 
say ? ” 

“ I have not.” 

“You are charged with the murder of two men. 
For that of Rodgers we care little. We are here to 
punish you for the assassination of Arthur Estelroy. 
You have had a fair trial, and we know you are guilty. 


LYNCH LAW. 317 

But for the corruption of two jurors, you would have 
been hung by the sheriff instead of by us. 

“A jury may be bribed. We cannot be. The peo- 
ple of Glen Lynn are determined that you shall not 
escape.” 

The prisoner was then informed that a clergyman 
had been brought there, and was asked if he wished 
to see him. 

“ I will die as I have lived,” answered Hastings, 
doggedly. “ I believe in none of your cant.” 

He was then led forward under the tree, the noose 
was adjusted, the rope was tightened, and in a few 
moments all was over. 

The body was placed in the coffin and buried on 
the spot. The company then dispersed. A mes- 
senger was sent to the jail to inform the guard of the 
termination of their enterprise. The guard left im- 
mediately, but through their means assistance soon 
reached the sheriff, who with the jailor was released 
from duress. 


27 


3i8 


AT swords’ points. 


CHAPTER XLV. 

Grafton’s character vindicated. 

O N the following morning but little business could 
be disposed of in court. The lynching of Hast- 
ings was the all-absorbing topic. While some, and 
especially Grafton and the sheriff, regretted the breach 
of law, none doubted that real summary justice had 
been done. 

The matter had been carefully planned and adroitly 
executed. The sheriff suspected certain parties ; but 
there were so many engaged, and the act was so fully 
in accordance with the public sentiment, that even 
if the parties concerned had been arrested and tried 
there would not have been the slightest possibility 
of their conviction. 

His two great cases being thus disposed of, Grafton 
began to feel more gloomy and despondent than ever. 
He regretted that he had not accepted the offer of his 
friend and gone abroad. He wondered if the place 
had yet been filled. He would write his friend and 
ascertain if a reconsideration on his part was practi- 
cable. If so, he would go to Europe and learn 
whether time and change of place could effect any 
alteration in his feelings or his sorrow. 

Miss Florence Rivers suffered as much as himself 
She deplored her conduct, but was too proud to make 
the least advance towards a reconciliation. Some of 


Grafton’s character vindicated. 319 

her near relatives were about to visit Europe. They 
sent her a pressing invitation to accompany them. 

She was pleased with the idea, and her uncle said 
that it was the best thing for her to do. He hoped, 
he said, that time and travel would put a little com- 
mon sense into her head. She decided to go at once 
and visit some friends in the East until the time fixed 
for sailing should arrive. She went, and had been 
away for some time before Grafton learned of her 
departure. 

On the evening before her departure from Glen 
Lynn, she had a long conversation with her uncle. 
He insisted on knowing the reasons for the quarrel 
between herself and Grafton. 

She gave them. He did not smile contemptuously, 
as she had feared he would. He thought a few mo- 
ments, and then said, gravely, “ I believe that every 
charge is utterly false, and that they were all put in 
circulation by the enemies of Grafton. In a month 
from this time I will know positively ; perhaps sooner. 
I will let you see the evidence. I believe that you 
will then think as I do, — that you have behaved 
very foolishly and have treated Mr. Grafton outra- 
geously. 

I will clear him completely, or I will not attempt 
it before you. He shall know nothing about it; and 
if I succeed you must act as you think best.” 

Miss Rivers started for New York on the following 
morning ; and her uncle sent for the detective, Mun- 
son. With his aid the merchant had in a couple of 
weeks all the facts that he desired relating to Grafton. 
He felt that every charge was answered fully, that 


320 


AT swords’ points. 


Grafton was vindicated completely, and that his niece 
would be convinced of her errors as soon as she had 
read the statement sent her. 

Meantime he thought it right to communicate to 
Grafton how far Gordon and Hastings had been in- 
teresting themselves in his affairs. That very day 
Grafton had a suit to try in court in which Gordon 
was opposed to him. Smarting under the injuries 
he had suffered, Grafton did not treat his opponent 
with his accustomed courtesy. Among other mat- 
ters, he referred very strongly to certain disreputable 
practices. Gordon sharply retorted. Grafton was 
about to reply, when the Judge interfered and told 
them that he was surprised at their conduct, and 
that the court-room was no place in which to settle 
their personal disputes. 

This only added fuel to the flame. It occurred be- 
fore the death of Hastings ; but since that person’s 
disgrace Gordon had been more gloomy, brooding, 
and vindictive than ever. 

When court had adjourned, Gordon met Grafton in 
the hall, angrily demanded an apology, and, before 
Grafton had time to say a word, attempted to strike 
him in the face. Grafton warded off the blow, and 
instantly knocked Gordon down. Friends then inter- 
fered, and many supposed the trouble would end there. 

Later in the day, however, Grafton received a chal- 
lenge. He replied that while he fully believed in self- 
defence, he was conscientiously opposed to duelling. 

Gordon answered by a note calling him a sneak 
and a coward, and telling him that he would shoot 
him at sight. Grafton armed himself and went out to 


Grafton’s character vindicated. 321 

consult a friend as to what course he had better pur- 
sue in the matter. He showed him the notes that 
he had received. 

His friend said, “ Go in the morning where you will 
be sure to find Gordon. If he assaults you, defend 
yourself. If he does not, let him alone ; but don’t 
wait till some other time and let him surprise you 
and shoot you down like a dog.” 

But, if I seek him, won’t that be as bad as if I had 
accepted his challenge ? ” 

By no means,” said his friend. “ It is simply 
compelling him to attack you, if he attacks you at all, 
when you are on the alert, instead of giving him a 
chance to shoot you down in cold blood. You are 
simply meeting him upon an even footing, instead of 
giving him the advantage ; though in fact he will have 
it anyway, since now you give him the first shot. 
You will not attack him unless he attacks you. Those 
notes to you will be all the justification, legally and 
morally, that you can require.” 

On the following morning, as Grafton was going to 
his office, he saw Gordon ahead of him. Gordon soon 
turned around. He was not a coward, and he gave 
his opponent a chance to draw his pistol while he 
himself was getting ready. 

In a moment he fired. The bullet whizzed close to 
the head of Grafton. The latter then returned the fire, 
and Gordon fell with a groan upon the sidewalk. 

“ The damned scoundrel always holds the winning 
cards,” he muttered, as some of his friends came up. 
He was shot through the hip. The wound, though 
not fatal, rendered him a cripple for life. 

V 


322 


AT swords’ points. 


Grafton walked up to the sheriff and surrendered 
himself ; but Gordon wrote a note exonerating his 
enemy from all blame, saying that he had only de- 
fended himself. ” I will kill him yet,” said Gordon 
to the friend to whom he handed the note for de- 
livery; “but I will take no unfair advantage.” 

The combination of manliness and meanness in 
the spirit of this young lawyer was really curious. 
Grafton was not detained. It leaked out in some 
mani^r that he had been very meanly treated by 
Gordon. His conduct was commended, and he was 
regarded as quite a lion. 

Mr. Rivers wrote his niece an account of the affair, 
in which he did his friend full justice. 

A few days after the death of Hastings, Grafton re- 
ceived by mail a beautiful little note. He was certain 
that he knew the handwriting ; but could it be pos- 
sible ? He tore open the envelope. How his heart 
bounded as he read the signature of Florence Rivers 
at the bottom of the page, we leave the reader to 
imagine. 

The note ran as follows : 


“New York, Nov. 20, 185-. 

“ Mr. Grafton : — I write this letter not in any 
hope that I may be forgiven. I write it when I know 
that I shall not se^ you again for years. I am well 
aware that we can never more be friends. I have 
wronged you too deeply for that. But I want to say 
to you that I know now what a terrible mistake I 
have made. I told my uncle why I behaved so badly ; 
and he has looked up everything and satisfied me 
fully that I was wrong. I do not write this ever ex- 
pecting to see you again. We sail for Europe to- 


Grafton’s character vindicated. 323 

morrow, to be gone for years. Think kindly of me 
once in a while. A strange time of year to sail, is it 
not? But my friends must go now. It can be no 
more gloomy than my own thoughts. 

“ Florence Rivers.” 

Grafton sprang up, his face radiant with joy. He 
began to pace up and down the room rapidly. 

Just then Mr. Rivers entered the office. He gazed 
at the young lawyer in astonishment, and inquired 
what was troubling him. 

“ Nothing,” Grafton replied, as he showed the note. 
Then his face looked very grave, and he sank into a 
chair. 

Well,” said Mr. Rivers, “ what ’s the matter now? ” 

“ I was so rejoiced to get the letter that I did not 
realize all that was in it. I thought that I could over- 
take her in New York; but she has been on the ocean 
two days already.” 

“ And what are you going to do now ? ” 

Go to Europe, of course, immediately,” Grafton 
replied. 

“Well, I don’t know but that’s best,” said Mr. 
Rivers, rather quizzically. “ By the way, I have the 
names of the hotels at which a certain young lady 
will stay in the first three or four foreign cities she 
will visit. You don’t care for them, I suppose ? ” 

“ I do, of course. Let me have them, please !‘” 

“ And you will close your office for three or four 
months ? ” Mr. Rivers inquired. 

“ Yes ; but I will try to return before the next ses- 
sion of court.” 

The next day Grafton received a telegram from his 


324 


AT swords’ points. 


friend to come to Washington immediately, and to 
be ready to go at once to Europe. 

In two days he had transferred all his law cases, 
locked up his office, given Mr. Rivers a full power of 
attorney, and was rapidly proceeding towards the 
capital of the nation. 


CHAPTER XLVL 

CONCLUSION. 

M ISS RIVERS and her party, as anticipated, 
had a rough voyage. They landed at Liver- 
pool, and, after a brief rest, went up to London. A 
few days more found them comfortably installed in 
Paris. 

After they had been there about a week, Miss 
Rivers was surprised one morning at being told that 
there was a gentleman in the parlor who desired to 
see her. She inquired for his card. He had not 
sent up any. She thought that she would not go 
down. Then the servant explained in broken Eng- 
lish that the caller said he was an old friend. 

Miss Rivers, feeling that she would be glad to see 
any familiar face from America, at once went to the 
parlor; but judge of her surprise when she suddenly 
found herself in the arms of Harold Grafton. 


In after years a person strolling through Glen 


CONCLUSION. 


325 


Lynn would have been surprised at the thrift, pros- 
perity, and beauty of the place. In these particulars 
it excelled nearly every other city of the West. 
Among the fine residences pointed out to him would 
have been that of Judge Grafton. And had the 
stranger inquired who Judge Grafton was, he would 
have been told that he was the first man in Glen 
Lynn, not in wealth, but in talent, education, refine- 
ment, public spirit, and influence; that in his younger 
days he had practised law with great success, and had 
then gone to Europe on business for the government. 
Afterwards returning to Glen Lynn, he had been 
twice elected to Congress, and was now a Judge of 
the Supreme Court of his State. His wife, by rea- 
son of her generous and liberal spirit, and her many 
noble deeds, was beloved by all the country round. 
She was still very beautiful, and, though high-spirited, 
governed all by her kind and gentle ways. 

Had the stranger asked after other early settlers 
in Glen Lynn, he would have heard the name of 
Charles Gordon mentioned among the most promi- 
nent. But he would have been told that, while he 
started in his profession with brilliant prospects, he 
did not do well ; his associations were bad ; he lost 
many friends, and then went to an Eastern city, where 
he married an heiress, much older than himself, but 
wealthy, and had again acquired a large and lucrative 
practice, though not of the most honorable nature. 


THE END. 









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